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July 25, 2024 - Comments Off on More than 60 Journalists and Media Practitioners Across Pakistan Condemn the Sexist and Derogatory Statements Made by Dr. Omer Adil Against Women in Media

More than 60 Journalists and Media Practitioners Across Pakistan Condemn the Sexist and Derogatory Statements Made by Dr. Omer Adil Against Women in Media

IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

PRESS RELEASE

25 July 2024

Pakistan: Network of Women Journalists for Digital Rights (NWJDR) strongly condemns Dr. Omer Adil’s recent derogatory and sexist statements against Gharidah Farooqi  and women working in the media in an online program by vlogger Zohaib Saleem Butt. The online vlog has been extremely triggering with the use of graphic language against women journalists in the country.

 

The use of these sexist and abusive words for women working in the media have been repeatedly used by male journalists and colleagues in the past too. This is not the first time that female journalists and anchors have been a target of hate speech, threats and defamation. Time and again women journalists have raised their concerns with relevant authorities and demanded justice however no punitive action is taken to provide them with protection. 

 

It is also pertinent to mention that the World Press Freedom Index already marks Pakistan at 152 out of 180 countries on press freedom and there’s been repeated orchestrated and sophisticated attacks against women journalists with gendered disinformation, hateful slurs, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) in the country. The Digital Rights Foundation’s Cyber Harassment Helpline Report 2023 has also been receiving repeated complaints from journalists based on the attacks they face online and in 2023 alone 35 journalists filed a complaint with the helpline.

 

These comments increase the chances of violence in offline spaces for women working in the media and can have a lasting impact on their mental health. Women journalists already lack institutional support from families and workplaces and with comments like these made by senior journalists it only reinforces negative stereotypical personas of women working in the media and also directly poses threats to their economic livelihoods. 

 

The NWJDR demands full accountability from Dr. Omar Adil for maligning female journalists in the video. A public apology is insufficient to address the profound damage inflicted on the reputation of all women journalists. Furthermore, we assert that the apology from video host Zohaib Saleem Butt is grossly inadequate and fails to mitigate the harm caused by the misogynistic statements made in the video. 

 

We call on relevant government bodies, journalist protection organizations, and regional and national press clubs to unequivocally condemn the use of such language against women in the media. They must actively discourage its perpetuation through online content and vlogs and take punitive action against those disseminating this harmful content.

 

Signatures: 

  1. Asma Kundi DW urdu freelancer
  2. Mahwish Fakhar, Dawn, Islamabad
  3. Dr. Tehreem Azeem, Assistant Professor, Department of Mass Communication, NUST 
  4. Ayesha Khalid, Comms Manager, Facter Lead, Media Matters for Democracy
  5. Gharidah Farooqi, anchor, Gtv
  6. Afia Salaam, journalist
  7. Madiha Abid Ali, Anchor person, PTV News Islamabad
  8. Qurrat ul Ain Shirazi, journalist.
  9. Mehr Hussain, The Friday Times
  10. Fauzia Yazdani
  11. Riffat Anjum, Journalist
  12. Amber Shamsi, Journalist
  13. Fatima Nazish, Multimedia editor DW news
  14. Amel Ghani - Journalist Lahore
  15. Bushra Pasha Foreign Correspondent DW Urdu
  16. Umaima Ahmed, Global Voices
  17. Fauzia Kalsoom Rana, Founder and Convenor Women journalists Association of Pakistan WJAP, Broadcast Journalist
  18. Yashfeen Jamal, Anchorperson, Neo news
  19. Ramna Saeed Yeni Șafak international correspondent
  20. Sheema Siddiqui, Geo TV karachi
  21. Xari Jalil, Voice.pk
  22. Sabahat khan, Freelance journalist
  23. FahmidahYousfi, journalist
  24. Khalida niaz, Radio Mashaal
  25. Ayesha Saghir, Reporter Express News Lahore
  26. Lubna Jarar Naqvi, Journalist
  27. Bushra Iqbal, multimedia journalist/ anchor person
  28. Javeria Siddique Columnist Dunya Newspaper and Journalist working for Trt Urdu.
  29. Najia Mir, Anchor person/ Senior Producer, KTN News
  30. Sadia Hyat Khan, CEO of Zenith Media, actor anchor producer.
  31. Shama Siddiqui journalist Anchor person  News Reader
  32. Mehmal Sarfraz, Journalist
  33. Shiba Gill, Anchor person: Lahore Chamber of commerce and industry
  34. Aneela Ashraf freelance Multan
  35. Farah Naz, b chief & Reporter Daily Aghaz e Safar, Editor Weekly Sholla
  36. Absa Komal, Dawn Tv
  37. Maryam Zia, Anchor PTV World
  38. Amer Malik, Senior Correspondent, The News International
  39. Wasif Shakil, Senior News Editor, Geo News
  40. Moazzam S. Bhatti, Journalist
  41. Zoya Anwer, Freelance Journalist
  42. Zebunnisa Burki -- Journalist
  43. Tarhub Asghar - BBC journalist
  44. Mahjabeen Abid, freelance journalist / Multan
  45. Amina Usman Anchor person & Chairperson Of Media leading Ladies
  46. Dr. Rabia Noor, ARY NEWS
  47. Sana Asif BBC Pvt Ltd Broadcast Journalist
  48. Imrana Komal, Freelancer
  49. Wajeeha Aslam, Manager Special project Samaa news
  50. Fareeha Idrees, anchor of GNN. 
  51. Dr.Hayam Qayyoum, Assistant Professor department of media Studies. Bahria University Islamabad
  52. Hafsa Javed Khawaja, Journalism for Human Rights 
  53. Sabah Malik, CityFM89, Dawn Media 
  54. Aliya Jabeen, journalist 
  55. Afshan Masab, Multimedia journalist, CEO NativeMedia
  56. Faiz Paracha, Correspondent, Pro Pakistani & Daily News Diplomacy
  57. Sumeira Ashraf, head of assignment & planning, 24 News HD, Islamabad
  58. Sarah B. Haider, Journalist
  59. Saweera Mustafa, Producer G For Gharida, Gtv
  60. Rabbia Arshad journalist - multimedia journalist/documentary maker
  61. Dr. Sana Ghori ( Metro One News ) Karachi
  62. Arifa Noor, anchor, Dawn
  63. Sehrish Qureshi Producer - Independent Urdu, Joint Secretary - National Press Club
  64. Sanam Junejo, Associated press of Pakistan, Reporter/subeditor

 

Digital Rights Foundation is a registered research-based NGO in Pakistan. Founded in 2012, DRF focuses on ICTs to support human rights, inclusiveness, democratic processes, and digital governance. DRF works on issues of online free speech, privacy, data protection and online violence against women.

 

For more information log on: www.digitalrightsfoundation.pk 

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Nighat Dad 

[email protected] 

Seerat Khan

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Umaima Ahmad

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Anam Baloch

[email protected]

For press/media inquiries: [email protected]

 

 

July 15, 2024 - Comments Off on Technology-facilitated Gendered Surveillance on the Rise in Women’s Private Spaces 

Technology-facilitated Gendered Surveillance on the Rise in Women’s Private Spaces 

7th June 2024

Pakistan: Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) is extremely alarmed and concerned about the ongoing surveillance of women and girls in private spaces through unregulated CCTV cameras in women's shelters, hostels, universities and salons, invading their right to privacy and dignity in private spaces. Women are already exceedingly subjected to gender based violence, harassment and social surveillance by society which in turn pushes them to seek refuge in gender segregated private spaces such as these. 

 

According to the 2023 Gender Gap report Pakistan ranks at 142 out of 146 countries in terms of gender parity, including economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. With women’s participation being severely limited and restricted in the country, they are significantly more financially dependent, prompting them to look towards spaces like Dar-ul-Amans (designated shelters for women in distress) for shelter and protection. Women residing in Dar-ul-Amans are largely vulnerable, particularly when they face little to no familial support and are seeking refuge. 

 

Dar-ul-Amans in the country have been purpose-built to provide state-sanctioned  support at an institutional level. In light of this, the use of unregulated CCTV cameras is flagrantly threatening and targeting women’s dignity and privacy. This an active and  gross violation of their constitutional rights as granted under Article 14. Additionally, S. 9(5) of the Guidelines for Dar-Ul-Aman in Punjab also recognizes these rights and states that ‘violation of a resident’s privacy shall be considered as misconduct and the Social Welfare Department shall be justified in taking appropriate action in this regard.’

 

Women living in these shelters have also complained of gross mistreatment and abuse at the hands of those in charge at these centers. Days before the Rawalpindi Dar-ul-Aman incident, another incident of a similar nature took place in one of Lahore’s women’s hostels where hidden cameras were found on the premises of the building. These repeated instances of CCTV cameras being installed in private spaces under the guise of safety and the footage being misused , serve as a direct invasion of privacy and threat to women’s physical safety and create a hostile environment of mistrust and insecurity amongst women at large. 

 

There have even been reports of instances of  CCTV cameras being installed to surveil women in salons, where the footage and data has later been employed as blackmail material. In 2019, students from University of Balochistan (UoB) protested in the wake of CCTV camera footage being used by security personnels to sexually harass and blackmail students, particularly the young women on campus. In the past, we have seen that the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights have taken notice of these issues and we urge them to exercise their position to do the same now and investigate these heinous acts of violation against women’s privacy at Dar-ul-Amans and other private spaces. 

 

DRF's Cyber Harassment Helpline since its inception has received 16,849 complaints from across Pakistan, with 58.5% of the complaints having been received from women across the country. Over the years we have received a number of complaints where women have repeatedly complained about being targeted through surveillance & spyware technologies injected to their devices by individuals who are close to them in order to control and monitor their movements and activities. We have also witnessed a rising trend where women were captured on camera without their consent in addition to the misuse of their intimate images through blackmail and intimidation. In some instances these images are further manipulated and doctored through the use of  generative AI tools to create deep fakes visuals and imagery.

 

We strongly urge transparent and urgent investigations into these violative incidents which are (of employing the use of unregulated CCTV cameras to violate women’s privacy) contributing to increased gender surveillance in the country. DRF has long been advocating for a human rights centric personal data protection law for this very reason, which needs to be centering the   privacy and data of vulnerable communities including women, gender minorities and marginalized groups. We urge the current Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) and Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication (MoITT) to involve women rights and digital rights groups in consultations around the proposed data protection bill in order to address the existing gaps. Moreover, we urge the National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR) and National Commission of Women Rights (NCWR) to look into the matter post haste and ensure that women are not subjected to gender based violence at the hands of technology, particularly in the form of their surveillance in private and public spaces. 

 

Digital Rights Foundation is a registered research-based NGO in Pakistan. Founded in 2012, DRF focuses on ICTs to support human rights, inclusiveness, democratic processes, and digital governance. DRF works on issues of online free speech, privacy, data protection and online violence against women.

 

For more information log on: www.digitalrightsfoundation.pk 

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Contact

Nighat Dad 

[email protected] 

Seerat Khan

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Anam Baloch

[email protected]

July 15, 2024 - Comments Off on June 2024 Newsletter: Digital Rights Foundation raises alarm over Technology Facilitated Gendered Surveillance on the rise in Women’s Spaces

June 2024 Newsletter: Digital Rights Foundation raises alarm over Technology Facilitated Gendered Surveillance on the rise in Women’s Spaces

June 2024 Newsletter: Digital Rights Foundation raises alarm over Technology Facilitated Gendered Surveillance on the rise in Women’s Spaces

Digital Rights Foundation is extremely alarmed and concerned about the ongoing surveillance of women and girls in private spaces through unregulated CCTV cameras in women's shelters, hostels, universities and salons, invading their right to privacy and dignity in private spaces. Women are already exceedingly subjected to gender based violence, harassment and social surveillance by society which in turn pushes them to seek refuge in gender segregated private spaces such as these. 

 

For more details, click here.

 

Policy Initiatives: 

 

International Day for Countering Hate Speech

On this International Day for Countering Hate Speech, DRF reflected on the importance of religious tolerance and the Supreme Court's 2014 directive to combat hate speech online against religious minorities in Pakistan. 

 

Stop Cyberbullying Day

This Stop Cyberbullying Day 2024, DRF wanted to highlight our Hamara Internet Mahfooz Internet Project. Through our digital literacy sessions in Lahore's government schools, we educate students and teachers on digital safety, cyber harassment, and ways to combat cyberbullying.

 

Press Coverage: 

Nighat Dad on Zara Hat Ke

DRF’s Executive Director, Nighat Dad, discussed the Punjab Defamation Bill and improper use of CCTV cameras in private areas with Dawn News' Zara Hat Ke program.

 

Watch the entire panel here.

 

Nighat Dad on Geo News

Nighat Dad spoke about online hate speech and trolling on Geo Pakistan.

 

Hate speech has permeated Pakistani society to such an extent that it is now considered a structural issue. On a global scale, a great deal of political dog whistling has made hate speech more prevalent among the populace. Not only should states and leaders be held accountable for such actions, but social media platforms where these occur should also be held accountable. To combat hate and prevent it from engulfing us, we, the actual public, must lead the change through discussions, dialogues, and counternarratives. 

 

Watch the entire discussion here.

 

Global Voices Advox The latest defamation bill further tightens restrictions on free speech in Pakistan https://advox.globalvoices.org/2024/05/30/the-latest-defamation-bill-further-tightens-restrictions-on-free-speech-in-pakistan/
Capital Research Center Misinformation and Checking the Fact-Checkers: Pushing Censorship https://capitalresearch.org/article/misinformation-and-checking-the-fact-checkers-part-4/
Dawn Alarm over surveillance of girls in private spaces https://www.dawn.com/news/1838477/alarm-over-surveillance-of-girls-in-private-spaces
Dawn Hidden cams https://www.dawn.com/news/1838914/hidden-cams
The News Not so hidden agenda https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1199462-not-so-hidden-agenda
Times of India Pakistan: Human Rights body raises concern about situation in Kyber Pakhtunkhwa https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-human-rights-body-raises-concern-about-situation-in-khyber-pakhtunkhwa/articleshow/110925261.cms
The News Enough is enough https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1199465-enough-is-enough
News on Air Pakistan Human Rights Commission Raises Alarms On Human Rights And Law Enforcement In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province https://www.newsonair.gov.in/pakistan-human-rights-commission-raises-alarms-on-human-rights-and-law-enforcement-in-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-province/
My Ind Human Rights Body in Pakistan voices concern over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa situation https://myind.net/Home/viewArticle/human-rights-body-in-pakistan-voices-concern-over-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-situation
The Khaama Press Surge in Hidden Camera Incidents in Pakistan’s Girls’ Hostels Raises Alarm https://www.khaama.com/surge-in-hidden-camera-incidents-in-pakistans-girls-hostels-raises-alarm/
Business Recorder Violation of women’s privacy https://www.brecorder.com/news/40308746
The News Battle for privacy https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1201108-battle-for-privacy
National Endowment for Democracy Manufacturing deceit how generative AI supercharges information manipulation https://www.ned.org/events/manufacturing-deceit-how-generative-ai-supercharges-information-manipulation/

 

Events:

Nighat Dad at Palestine Digital Activism Forum (PDAF) 2024 

At PDAF, Meedan’s workshop featured Dr. Dima Saber and Dr. Scott A. Hale alongside Nighat Dad, founder and executive director of the Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) in Pakistan. Taysir Mathlouthi of 7amleh — The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media moderated the panel. The session focused on fine-tuning large language models (LLMs) for the Larger World, Meedan’s preferred term for the Global South.

 

PDAF 2024 was centered on the theme “Artificial Intelligence: Revolutionary Promises and Discriminatory Realities.”

 

Nighat Dad at the International Forum for Democratic Studies for the release of “Manufacturing Deceit: How Generative AI Supercharges Information Manipulation” by Beatriz Saab

Nighat Dad, DRF’s Executive Director, as she joins the virtual discussion on how generative AI supercharges information manipulation. 

 

This event marks the launch of the new Forum report, “Manufacturing Deceit” by Beatriz Saab

 

DRF at the PI Partner Convening

DRF was represented at the Privacy International Partner Convening by Senior Program Manager Zainab Durrani from June 17th to June 20th 2024.

The Partner Convening is a meeting of organizations and individuals focused on defending the universal right to privacy through research, advocacy and providing community support. 

The PI Partner Convening saw a host of privacy defenders and advocates from Columbia, Brazil, Mexico, India, Kenya, Portugal and other countries join in to discuss, strategize and congregate on key developments in the privacy sphere across the globe.

Zainab Durrani, who manages DRF’s data privacy portfolio, presented to the conference on two key themes: tech facilitated gender based violence and tech perspectives from the Global Majority, over the span of the 3-day event.

 

Digital Literacy and Citizenship Bootcamp at the Karakoram International University

The DRF team, led by Senior Program Manager Zainab Durrani conducted its second Digital Literacy and Citizenship Bootcamp at the Karakoram International University (KIU)in Gilgit.

The Bootcamp project is supported by the U.S Embassy Islamabad and the opening ceremony for this intensive program was held at KIU on June 1st, 2024.

The keynote speaker was Ms. Alejandra Baez of the U.S Embassy Islamabad and Dr. Ataullah Shah, Vice Chancellor of KIU delivered the welcome note at the event.

The Digital Literacy Bootcamp is a 10-day capacity building program designed to inculcate key concepts such as legal knowledge, social science research, digital safety, digital etiquettes, AI and LLMs and the impact of the disinformation ecosystem, in the participants. 

This Bootcamp was attended by 61 students from various departments at KIU and carried out successfully by various subject matter experts from DRF.

 

DRF accompanied the NCHR Team to the government Dar ul Amaan Rawalpindi  

DRF’s representative, Irum Shujah, joined National Commission of Human Rights’ (NCHR) team on a visit to Dar ul Amaan, Rawalpindi to inspect surveillance cameras within the premises and ensure the privacy and security of residents. The visit was prompted by social media concerns about women's privacy in such facilities. The relevant teams are reviewing their findings and will share recommendations with stakeholders to safeguard residents' rights.

 

Online Safety Workshop in Hunza

The DRF team conducted an Online Safety Workshop in collaboration with IEI Pakistan in Hunza and it was truly enlightening. Empowering girls and women to navigate the digital world safely and confidently is at the heart of our mission for #HamaraInternetMahfoozInternet. Despite the diverse age groups and skill levels, more than 50 participants engaged in crucial discussions on consent, digital safety, and the importance of open communication between parents and children.

 

Anti-Cyberbullying and Digital Awareness session

DRF held a session with 55 students of O-Level and A-Level at Fatima Memorial’s NUR Foundation’s internship program in Lahore. They were informed how to counter cyberbullying, staying safe in online spaces and legal avenues to adopt incase of harassment or scams. They were also given helpline brochures. 

 

A session with Suno FM Radio 89.4-96 ( Aao Bat Krain ) 

Anmol Sajjad delivered a virtual session on online harassment on 25 June 2024, with Suno FM Radio 89.4-96 with Bushra Iqbal. The session focused on online harassment in the digital era. This also includes the discussion of consequences for minors and vulnerable communities and suggested solutions for mitigating these risks. The prevention of online harassment and digital detox were also discussed during the session. 

 

Watch the entire interaction here.

 

MoITT Consultation on May 2023 draft of Pakistan’s Personal Data Protection Bill

Irum Shujah, representing DRF, attended an in-person consultation on the May 2023 draft of Pakistan’s Personal Data Protection Bill organized by the Ministry of Information and Technology (MoITT) in Islamabad on 26 June 2024. Nighat Dad and other senior management members participated remotely and contributed insightful input. Throughout the consultation, both Nighat Dad and Irum Shujah addressed critical issues pertaining to privacy and other key aspects of the draft legislation. Nighat Dad specifically highlighted how certain law provisions infringe upon privacy concerns and create difficulties for stakeholders, emphasizing the need for these issues to be addressed. DRF also submitted comprehensive written recommendations aimed at further refining the bill.

 

Meta's Session on Data Privacy in the Age of AI

DRF legal team recently attended an online session organized by Meta, titled "Data Privacy in the Age of AI" held on 25 June 2024. The session delved into the intricacies of the Personal Data Protection Bill, discussing its critical role in safeguarding privacy. Additionally, recommendations for Pakistan's draft on personal data protection were also discussed during the session. Throughout the session, key topics covered included the definition of privacy, fundamental principles of data protection, and the rights and safeguards for managing personal data in the era of artificial intelligence.

 

 

DRF Updates: 

Cyber Harassment Helpline 

The Cyber Harassment Helpline received 266 complaints in total in June 2024, with 155 complaints by women. If you’re encountering a problem online, you can reach out to our helpline at 0800-39393, email us at [email protected] or reach out to us on our social media accounts. We’re available for assistance from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Sunday.

 

Cyber Harassment Helpline Supporting Journalists

IWF Portal

DRF in collaboration with Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and the Global Fund to End Violence Against Children launched a portal to combat children’s online safety in Pakistan. The new portal allows internet users in Pakistan to anonymously report child sexual abuse material in three different languages- English, Urdu, and Pashto.

 

www.report.iwf.org.uk/pk 

 

StopNCII.org

Meta along with Revenge Porn Helpline (RPH) has launched a portal to support victims of Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse (NCII). NCII is a free portal for reporting cases of sensitive or sexual content existing online. Once you report a case, the necessary steps will be taken to block the images from the platform.

 

https://stopncii.org/