Youth meeting orgnised by UN agencies ahead of 16 days campaign against gender based violence

Senior Correspondent

NewsBits.in

BHOPAL: A youth interactive meeting was held at UN office in Bhopal by all UN agencies working in Bhopal to start a 16 days of activism campaign against gender based violence.

These included the UNWomen, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP and WHO. Young people from CSOs and RKSK volunteers were present at the meet. The youth meeting had a theme to 'UNITE for digital safety'.

Pranay Nagvanshi, Superintendent of Police, Cyber Cell, Bhopal, spoke to young people at the meet. Addressing young people he said "we should focus on searching instead of scrolling, and use internet for our knowledge not get driven by what it wants us to see". He spoke about the helpline number 1930 in case anyone faced any cyber challenge.

He said as young people we should say 'No to the Unknown' on social media. He answered queries by young people and cited examples for them to understand the challenges of cyber world.

Speaking to young people Anil Gulati, Chief (a.i.) UNICEF Madhya Pradesh said it is important that we as young people learn about technology, learn to use it safely, and also work towards saying to any kind of abuse which happens. There is a need to unite for digital safety.

"‘This youth-led gathering in Bhopal marks a powerful beginning to the 16 Days of Activism under the theme UNiTE for Digital Safety. With all UN agencies at the UN House coming together to observe the 16 Days, this collective commitment strengthens our shared resolve to end violence in all its forms. By championing respectful online behaviour and standing united against cyberbullying, harassment, and digital abuse, they are actively shaping a safer, more inclusive, and more empowering digital world for women and girls,” said Joyatri Ray, State Lead and Policy Specialist, UN Women.

Anurag Sonwalker, State Programme Officer, UNFPA said that we are living with Virtual reality and we have to use the digital resources carefully towards a safer digital world for women and girls. We should equally focus on creating an enabling environment for children on responsible use of mobile and internet."

Dr Abhishek Jain, SMO (Transition) – MP, World Health Organisation (National Polio Surveillance network) spoke on importance of seeking information from authenticated and credible source particularly on health and Naman Gupta, State Programme Manager, UNDP also spoke about UNDPs youth strategy and role of youth towards climate change and sustainable lifestyle.

Young people from RKSK, volunteers from CSOs of Safe City Programme, PHIA and others were there who spoke on the issues they see as happening within their groups on social media and said that they will take steps to protect themselves.