DODOMA TAKES CHARGE: BUILDING DIGITAL RESILIENCE FOR DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES

In a bid to equip civil society organizations (CSOs) and human rights defenders with skills to navigate internet restrictions, Reach out Tanzania (ROT) organized a two-day training in Dodoma, Tanzania. The training, held on December 5-6, 2024, aimed to empower participants with the ability to bypass internet restrictions and maintain their work during times of disruption.

The training, hosted at the DS Hotel in Dodoma, brought together 15 CSOs and human rights defenders from the region. The participants were eager to learn new tactics to remain resilient in the face of internet shutdowns, which have been a global challenge in election periods, and Tanzania has faced them. 

The training was inspired by the challenges faced during the 2020 general elections, when an internet shutdown severely impacted the work of civil society organizations (CSOs) and human rights defenders. Recognizing the importance of internet access for democratic processes, Reach Out Tanzania (ROT) took proactive steps to prepare CSOs and human rights defenders in Dodoma for potential future disruptions.

The two-day training was highly impactful, with participants sharing their experiences and gaining hands-on experience with circumvention tools. The training enabled them to develop strategies for bypassing shutdowns, measuring their impact, and maintaining communication with stakeholders.

The training equipped participants with the tools and confidence to take action, driving them to participate in internet measurement exercises, maintain vital communications during shutdowns, and tackle future disruptions head-on. Through this initiative, ROT is committed to empower human rights defenders in Tanzania, recognizing that their work is essential to community stability. 

 

By equipping CSOs with the skills to overcome obstacles, ROT is actively supporting their ability to continue making a meaningful impact despite the challenges they face.

The training marks an important milestone in ROT's efforts to promote digital resilience and online freedom in Tanzania. By equipping CSOs and human rights defenders with the skills they need to navigate internet restrictions, ROT is supporting the protection of human rights and the promotion of democratic processes.

ROT is spearheading a campaign to promote online freedom and digital resilience in Tanzania, underscoring the critical role of internet access in safeguarding democratic processes ahead of the 2025 general elections.