IAWRT LAUNCHES CYBER CRIME PROGRAM FOR WOMEN LEGISLATURES

Apr 29, 2014 Editor Kisumu News Computer, National, News, Technology 0

IAWRT President Rachel Nakitare

BY OMOLLO ODHIAMBO

Lack of laws on cyber-crime in the country seems to be propelling the menace further, International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) has said.

IAWRT has raised an alarm over cyber-crime saying it works against women who tend to achieve leadership prosperity.

IAWRT President Rachel Nakitare said the association has launched a program to salvage women through training women legislatures on how to legislate effectively on cyber-crime.

In the program, the association has rolled out a campaign against cyber-crime in addition to training female leaders to embrace digital fluency in a bid to protect them from the menace.

If our women leaders understand the internet they will be able to detect and encounter any attempt to intimidate them in the internet, said Nakitare.

Nakitare who met female Members of County Assembly from Kisumu, Migori, Siaya, Nyamira, Kisii and Homabay Counties over the weekend in Kisumu said greater percentage of cyber-crime have since targeted female leaders.

According to Nakitare, a research by the association on how the crime is initiated seems to have hit a snag due to little corporation from the internet service providers.

She said it is through thorough research that the country will come up with firm laws to curb cyber-crime.

The Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology reports indicate that Kenya is experiencing a growing number of cyber-crimes that threaten National Security, Information, Communication and Technology infrastructure as well as citizens privacy.

The reports indicate that the country is losing an estimated KES. 2 billion annually through cyber-crime.

However incidents of cyber stalking, sexual harassment, persistent abusive mobile messages, sex trafficking and humiliating comments that reinforce gender stereotypes have also increased.

There have also been cases of professional sabotage, identity theft and incidents where intimate photos and videos have been used to blackmail women.

Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), a multi-stakeholder platform for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT Policy and Regulation also affirms that Cyber Crime and Bullying against Kenyan women is on the rise.

The country’s security has also classified the crime as a serious crime, however reports by the office of Director of Public Prosecution indicate that women who are victims of cyber-crime and bullying very rarely report the crime.

Nakitare challenged women MCAs to take up the roles of strengthening the fight against the crime through their legislative roles.

The campaign will however encompass both legislatures in the National Assembly and Senate so as to strengthen the fight.

• Cyber Bullying, Cyber Crime, IAWRT, ict policy, Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), Rachel Nakitare