Zimbabwe must ensure Internet access during 2023 e...

Zimbabwe must ensure Internet access during 2023 elections: PIN

Ms. Thobekile Matimbe highlighting platforms and networks in the digital rights space at the PIN Festival. Photo Credit: Thobekile Matimbe-Twitter

Zimbabwe Government should buttress it commendable enactment of Data Protection Act by ensuring Internet access during the 2023 elections.

The was said by PIN partnerships and engagements manager Ms. Thobekile Matimbe during a PIN Festival held in Harare recently.

She said Zimbabwe was on the right direction with the Data Protection Act and should strengthen this by ensuring access to Internet during next year’s elections.

Zimbabwe’s Data Protection Act [Chapter 11:22] seeks to increase data protection in order to build confidence and trust in the secure use of information and communication technologies by data controllers, their representatives and data subjects.

Some countries in Africa and other places have blocked Internet access and social media access during election periods.

The festival which was attended by representatives from the social enterprise was to celebrate the collective behind-the-scenes efforts toward advancing digital rights and inclusion in Africa over the years.

PIN executive director Gbenga Sesan said as while many governments in Africa have made considerable progress towards improving privacy online, data protection and providing affordable internet to increase access, much more needs to be done to bridge the existing digital divide.

“Paradigm Initiative has been in existence for 15 years now and over the years, we have seen gradual progress towards digital transformation, a clear indication of opportunities that exist towards safeguarding digital rights for all,” Said Mr Sesan.

Association for Progressive Communications said that citizens on the continent are currently using Information Communications Technology on a regular basis, creating a need for rights on how they use ICT.

“Having worked together with Paradigm Initiative over the years, I can attest to the benefits that accrue when individuals and organizations are empowered. Access to ICTs leaves individuals, communities and institutions in a better position to act, and try to solve their own problems,” said APC executive director Ms Anriette Esterhuysen.

Paradigm Initiative has impacted more than 5,000 lives under-served African youth with improved livelihoods through digital opportunities and the protection of their online rights since the organization’s inception in 2007.

The organization has also played an instrumental role in advancing Internet Freedom, proposing policy solutions and monitoring legal and policy frameworks around ICTs on the continent to ensure citizen rights.

This contribution has been strengthened by the organization’s competencies in ICT capacity building, research and reports.

The social enterprise has also trained non-profit organizations and educational institutions on usage of ICTs for digital security, online and social media advocacy through its annual digital rights reports which have been converted into short films to speak more to the younger audience.

PIN chief operating officer Nnenna Paul-Ugochukwu said the organization has played an important role in spearheading development of public policy for internet freedom in Africa and “will continue to do so through its presence in Nigeria, Cameroon, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Senegal and Kenya.”