16 days activism to end digital violence against all women and girls held by Radio Sampark
Bhubaneswar (By Abhishek Mohanty)
The 16 days of activism is an international civil society led campaign. This year it is organized under the theme “End digital violence against all women and girls”. It commences on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on December 10, Human Rights Day, highlighting that violence against women is the most pervasive breach of human rights worldwide.
Digital violence is now one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse in the region. Women and girls are targeted through image-based abuse, harassment, disinformation, deep fakes and online hate that silence their voices and restrict their participation in public life. These harms mirror offline inequalities and often escalate beyond the screen, affecting safety, well-being and daily life.
Community Radio Station-Radio Sampark 89.6, Murudabad, Nischintakoili, Cuttack, an initiative of People’s Cultural Centre (PECUC), a leading voluntary organization in Odisha, organized the 16-day activism campaign in Nischinitakoili block of Cuttack district in collaboration with SMART, to raise awareness about digital violence against women and girls.
The initiative aimed to sensitize communities about the prevalence and impact of digital violence and promote collective action for prevention.
The campaign featured diverse activities, including awareness rallies, cycle rally, community meetings, creative messaging through rangoli art, drawing competition, poster campaign, role play on digital violence, door to door pamphlet distribution, signature campaign, visiting sakhi centre, interface with police, social media campaign, narrowcast sessions in schools & colleges, one act play, broadcasting 16 episode on digital empowerment and other innovative approaches to engage community in these activities. This campaign reached to more than 50000 people.
Speaking on the occasion Ranjan Kumar Mohanty, Head Radio Sampark and secretary PECUC said, “Empowering communities begins with safeguarding them—on the ground and online. Let’s unite to eliminate digital violence in all its forms.”
Anuradha Mohanty, Executive Director, PECUC said “As the digital world rapidly expands, online violence against women is also rising—let us empower and protect them to create a safer digital future.”
The power of social media can be utilized to raise voices, challenge abuse, and build a safe digital space for every woman and girl was emphasized.
Women group leader
Sobharani Sutar said, “This was a new experience for us as we learn many important things for keep ourselves safe in digital world.”
These efforts emphasized the importance of building a safe and equitable society for all- both offline and online, encouraging active participation from community members to challenge and eliminate gender-based violence both offline and online in their everyday lives. The campaign was facilitated by Sushree Shailani Suman, Gayatri Tripathy, Subhalaxmi Panda, Kabita Das and Bhabani Sankar Patra of Community Radio Station -Radio Sampark.
