UNESCO joins UN family to commemorate 16 Days of Activism in Pakistan

Recognizing that youth are at the forefront of the digital world, UNESCO collaborated with Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) for a high-impact youth advocacy campaign, "UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls". The journey began at the Pakistan Reading and Learning Festival in Islamabad, where prominent activists like Abia Akram and Nayyab Ali discussed the unique risks faced by marginalized groups, including women with disabilities and transgender youth.

The campaign then moved across Punjab, conducting intensive training sessions in Bahawalpur and Toba Tek Singh. The results were transformative:

• Capacity Building: 550 students from diverse backgrounds were trained as certified "Digital Safety Advocates".

• Knowledge Shift: Students' awareness of digital safety and reporting mechanisms surged from 16.5% to 100%.

• Massive Reach: Youth-led digital posters and reels reached an estimated 300,000 people online, turning students into active defenders of the digital space.

The movement culminated in a grand closing ceremony in Lahore, where the Provincial Minister for Education, Mr. Rana Sikandar Hayat, joined the youth in a collective pledge. "Our goal is clear … we must make Punjab a harassment-free province where every girl can navigate the digital world without fear".