Sisters' Stories: Meet our new Cyber Sister Asia
Originally from Sinjar, Asia is one of the participants of our new Cyber Sisters project, which aims to protect women and girls from online abuse while actively increasing their participation in the digital world.
Having endured many difficult years in displacement, she says: “When ISIS took over our area, they were killing and slaughtering people, so we ran away.”
Now aged 24, Asia lives within Chamishko camp in Zakho district, and adds: “Life has been hard under a nylon tent, but I didn’t ever give up.”
Nevertheless, she found herself battling depression due to the trauma and displacement she suffered, so when she heard about our Cyber Sisters project, Asia decided to sign up. “I thought it seemed like a good project for self-improvement, supporting and encouraging women, and awareness for society,” she says. “Thankfully, it turned out I was right. The project is amazing.”
Along with the rest of her cohort, Asia has been undergoing training in digital security, and they will soon lead their own training for 500 other women and girls on online safety. Sessions cover vital topics like cyber abuse and bullying, stalking and intimidation, grooming and trafficking, the dishonouring of women, radicalisation, safe gaming and social media, plus data protection and identity theft.
“It has helped me become more aware about cyber abuse, and how to make other girls more aware of the ways of reporting cases, and to whom. I’ve also learned that a woman should trust herself more, so nothing can break her, and how we can be leaders.”
The project is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office through Cordaid as part of the ‘Women's Voices First’ programme, which supports female-led organisations to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Iraq. We’re hugely grateful for this opportunity not only to engage and enhance the skills of young women like Asia, but also to be helping protect vulnerable women and girls from rising cases of cyber crime…
