Indonesian minister supports efforts to promote digital literacy to protect women from the harms of cyberspace

Speaking at the Women and Children’s Channel launch on RRI Play Go on 7 June, Bintang Puspayoga, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, said skills in digital literacy could protect women and children from the dangers of social media. 

Highlighting the prevalence of online gender-based violence, she stressed that a digitally literate woman could protect herself in cyberspace in the future and her children when they browse social media in cyberspace. The Minister also highlighted the information access gap that hinders women and children. In response, the Ministry is encouraging women to harness digital technology’s potential and educate and protect themselves. 

The Ministry’s efforts include the establishment of the Women and Children’s Friendly Smart Home and working with the National Radio (RRI) to disseminate information on empowerment issues in cyberspace by creating a unique channel on the RRI Play Go app. The channel enables women to participate in relevant communities, seek help from mass organisations and exchange ideas in forums.

Noting that synergy and support of all stakeholders is the key to closing the digital gender gap and safeguarding the rights of women and children, the Minister said that the joint effort would empower women to engage in the digital transformation and, at the same time, combat the prevalent falsehoods that often mislead women and children.