LAHORE — A province-wide call for safer digital spaces reached a decisive crescendo on Tuesday as the “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against Women & Girls” campaign concluded at Lahore’s Alhamra Hall. What started as a modest dialogue in Islamabad last month has grown into a sweeping youth-led movement across Punjab, driven jointly by UNESCO and Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) in collaboration with UN Women.
Far from a traditional series of awareness sessions, the campaign spanned universities and public schools across Bahawalpur, Toba Tek Singh, and Lahore, engaging thousands of students directly in conversations about cyber harassment, misinformation, and the systemic digital exclusion faced by women and transgender individuals.
A Provincial Commitment to Safety
At the closing ceremony, Punjab’s Provincial Minister for School Education and Higher Education, Rana Sikandar Hayat, delivered a resounding message of urgency and responsibility.
“Women are not property. Giving them education and a diverse skillset will equip them for a better tomorrow and push this nation forward,” he stated. “Our goal is clear: to make Punjab a harassment-free province where every girl can navigate the digital world without fear.”
His remarks set the tone for a program centered on action, not rhetoric.
Youth Take the Lead
Over the past two weeks, participants were trained not only in the technicalities of Pakistan’s cybercrime laws (PECA) but also in the ethics of digital citizenship. Students responded with creativity and conviction—producing digital posters, advocacy content, and personal pledges rejecting online abuse.
The ceremony opened with remarks by Baela Raza Jamil, CEO of ITA, followed by a dynamic panel discussion titled “Confronting Digital Violence and Advancing Inclusive and Safer Digital Spaces.” Moderated by Joshua Dilawar, the dialogue brought together voices from government institutions, academia, and civil society, including Ms. Kulsoom Saqib, DG, PWPA, Ms. Ayesha Babar, DRF, Muhammad Hammad Ur Rehman, University of Central Punjab, Anjum James Paul, Government Graduate College, Faisalabad, Ms. Mahnoor Chaudhary.
Representatives from UNESCO and UN Women, Zahra Sohail and Sidra Humauyn, underscored the cross-sectoral need for rapid and sustained interventions.
A Collective Pledge for Change
The event culminated with a powerful “Youth Pledge,” a joint effort by ITA and UNESCO, where students vowed to uphold digital empathy, challenge misogyny online, and build safer digital communities.
As the 16 Days of Activism draw to a close, the campaign leaves behind a strengthened network of trained digital safety advocates across Punjab’s educational institutions. Organizers stressed that this is only the beginning; the movement has demonstrated that empowered youth are a formidable force against digital violence.
With renewed momentum, Punjab now looks toward a future where technology uplifts rather than intimidates—turning the digital realm into a catalyst for progress, inclusion, and empowerment.
