IGF 2020 Pre-Event #59 Lessons from the African Internet Rights Alliance (AIRA) on Protecting Digital Rights in Africa

In this time of COVID-19, digital rights on the African continent are under threat more than ever before. Over the past five years, internet shutdowns, stifling of dissent, poor data governance and various forms of violence have persisted both by the government and the private sector despite increased calls for progressive policy and practice. In an effort to advance collaborative approaches to advance digital rights on the continent, a coalition of nine civil society organisations have come together to pool experience and expertise and work toward an Africa where digital rights are upheld in all aspects of life, governance and the economy. In this session, the African Internet Rights Alliance (AIRA) will share insights into its work over the past three years and discuss our interventions, with an interactive conversation exploring the need for transnational collaboration, partnerships and coalition-building to protect and expand digital rights across Africa.

Join moderators Ashnah Kalemera (CIPESA) and 'Gbenga Sesan (PIN) for a brief presentation, followed by Q&A with their fellow AIRA members Sigi Waigumo Mwanzia (Article 19 Eastern Africa) and Edwin Makwati (Legal Resources Centre).