Empowering Change: Taibat’s Advocacy for Digital Safety and Combating Gender-Based Violence
They say, ‘Do the work, even when no one’s watching.’ They also say, ‘It will pay off someday.’ Over the last two days at the Summit, I witnessed the truth in those words.
Taibat Hussain
In recent years, Taibat has been at the forefront of advocating for research and initiatives aimed at preventing and addressing gender-based violence (GBV), particularly in schools. This includes technology-facilitated forms such as online child sexual abuse and exploitation, as well as image-based sexual abuse and harassment. Her approach combines community education with innovative digital solutions. Through workshops and awareness campaigns, she has engaged children, young people, and local communities, equipping them with essential knowledge to identify and prevent online abuse, harassment, and exploitation. These efforts have fostered a more informed and proactive community ready to confront the challenges of technology-facilitated GBV.
Additionally, Taibat has played a crucial role in developing and promoting digital platforms that enhance knowledge and provide immediate support to survivors. She led the creation of a Gen Z gamification platform, Sorosoke, which empowers individuals to seek help and find safety in the digital landscape through interactive games and chatbots.
Her journey to the Youth Power Summit began with a call for applications and a firm belief that addressing online GBV is urgent. While conducting research for her PhD at the University of East Anglia, she felt strongly that her work should translate into advocacy and education for young people, by young people. With this conviction, she submitted her application. She was fortunate enough to be selected as one of five winning sessions from over 400 submissions, a testament to the selection panel’s recognition of this critical issue.
On the summit’s first day, her session, “Digital Safety Reimagined: Cutting-Edge Innovations to Combat Online GBV,” brought together young advocates and allies dedicated to ending technology-facilitated GBV. It provided a safe space to share ongoing initiatives, personal experiences, and innovative solutions. Participants heard from survivors whose experiences led to the creation of Safecity, a crowdsourced platform for collecting anonymous reports of sexual and gender-based harassment and abuse. These reports are aggregated and visualised on a map, providing valuable data for individuals, communities, and policymakers.
Taibat believes that every child and young person deserves to be safe online. While gender-based violence is never justifiable, it is preventable. During her session, the group also addressed the challenges of mobilising resources and investment toward GBV prevention. A key takeaway from their discussions was the recognition that GBV is a continuum; the violence experienced online by children and young people is closely linked to their offline experiences. As they advocate for increased funding, a holistic approach that addresses GBV in all its forms is essential.
She feels that her presence at the Youth Power Summit was destined. It provided an opportunity to highlight the issue of online GBV as preparations are underway for the First Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children and Girls. It was strategic to have youth mobiliser Marie Mokuba on the panel to share insights about ensuring that the voices of young people (aged 16 to 29) are reflected in the Youth Manifesto for ending violence against children. Marie discussed various ways young people could contribute to this important work.
A highlight of the day for Taibat was the participant-led group discussions, where young people at the heart of the summit could explore the many forms of technology-facilitated GBV, strategies for prevention and response, and their messages to the ministers who will gather for this historic moment in November. Regardless of the languages spoken during her session—whether Yoruba, English, or Spanish—the unified message was clear: make the online space safe for children and young people without compromising their digital rights!
Beyond her session, Taibat attended various other discussions and activities throughout the summit. The quality of conversations was thought-provoking, and the power emanating from the young people was palpable. Using art, videos, and creative tools to express the issues that matter to them demonstrated the many ways youth take charge and spotlight critical issues.
The Youth Power Summit has been empowering and transformative for Taibat. As she returns home, she carries with her renewed hope for the future and a deep belief in the power of young people to bring about the change they wish to see.
Solomon Atsuvia‘s Reflecting on the Youth Power Summit: A Journey of Advocacy, Unity, and Transformation
Hosting a session at the Youth Power Summit 2024 in New York, USA, during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (Summit of the Future) was both exhilarating and inspiring. This global gathering of young leaders, activists, and experts united to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time, and it was an honour for the host to stand among such incredible changemakers. The session, titled “Amplifying LGBTQI+ Voices for Rights and Health Equity,” served as both a platform and a call to action to confront systemic inequalities that continue to marginalise LGBTQI+ communities worldwide.
Engaging in Powerful Conversations
In the session, key themes such as power, youth leadership, intersectionality, digital health rights, and the impact of neoliberalism, conservatism, religious extremism, heteronormativity, and patriarchy on marginalised communities were explored. Tough questions were tackled, such as how international human rights frameworks shape the future of LGBTQI+ rights and how youth voices can drive inclusive advocacy strategies that reflect the lived realities of young LGBTQI+ individuals. The conversations were rich and insightful, with panellists sharing powerful stories and experiences. From grassroots activism to global policy advocacy, the speakers emphasised the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in creating sustained impact. It was a stark reminder that when youth voices are amplified, the world listens—and change becomes inevitable.
Highlights and Key Takeaways
Youth Leadership in LGBTQI+ Advocacy: The session underscored how young leaders redefine advocacy through innovative, intersectional strategies that centre the voices of those most affected. The resilience and creativity of youth activists are reshaping the global agenda, pushing for policies that recognise the complexities of their identities.
Intersectionality at the Core: The discussions reinforced the importance of understanding how overlapping identities—such as gender, sexuality, race, and socioeconomic status—shape experiences of discrimination and access. This holistic approach is crucial in dismantling systemic barriers and promoting health equity for LGBTQI+ communities.
Digital Health and Rights: The critical role of digital tools in accessing healthcare and advocating for rights was explored, especially for those in marginalised communities. However, the digital divide still poses significant challenges, and addressing this gap is key to ensuring no one is left behind in the digital age.
Global Solidarity and Action: The need for sustained global networks and partnerships emerged as a crucial factor in advancing LGBTQI+ rights and health equity. By working together—across borders, sectors, and movements—stakeholders can build a future that honours the dignity and rights of every individual, regardless of who they are or where they live.
Personal Reflections
Participating in the Youth Power Summit was deeply personal for the host. As a human rights defender, gender and sexual rights activist, and advocate for health equity, this session was a testament to the power of youth-led movements. Hosting this dialogue allowed the host to channel their lived experiences as a queer, gender-diverse person living with HIV into a platform that not only addresses challenges but also celebrates resilience and collective strength. The summit served as a reminder of the transformative power of youth—how united voices can dismantle oppressive structures and drive systemic change. It also reaffirmed the belief in the power of intersectional advocacy to uplift the most marginalised.
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
The host expressed profound gratitude to Restless Development, Fondation Botnar, the Youth Collective, and all the incredible panelists and participants who contributed to the session. Their insights, energy, and commitment inspire continued efforts to push boundaries and advocate for a world where equity, dignity, and inclusion are realities. The call is to harness youth power to challenge injustices, reclaim narratives, and shape a future that reflects diverse and beautiful realities. Together, they are not just participants but leaders of a movement that refuses to be silenced.
Empowering Youth: Ana Ruth Alvares’s Reflections from the Youth Power Summit
Youth Power Summit was a truly inspiring and rewarding experience for me. I had the opportunity to meet young people from all over the world who are positively impacting the lives of others, fighting for their rights, and advocating for political change with contagious passion. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that Foundation Botnar and Restless Development gave me to be part of the Youth Power Summit. It was an honour to be part of this space, where I could share, learn from others, and reaffirm my commitment to young people’s emotional health.
I loved organizing the “EmpowerMe” session, as it allowed me to engage with great panelists with extensive experience in youth activism and emotional well-being. This session allowed young people to participate actively and facilitated their development as responsible global citizens.
In summary, this was an enriching and meaningful session for me, though it was filled with a lot of anxiety and challenges. However, I realized that fear was in my mind because I had the courage, experience, and knowledge to face the world. Emotions can be a transformative force, and when young people are equipped with the right tools to take care of their mental health, we are stronger and better positioned to face today’s many challenges.
Youth Power Summit was a space for exchange and reflection, but above all, for human connection, and it made me realize how important it is for young people to find their emotional well-being. The most gratifying part of this session was seeing the participants engaged and encouraged, sharing their own struggles and dreams, and re-energizing to continue fighting for their rights. This session further convinced me of the need to prioritize emotional well-being in any program that empowers young people. Youth Power Summit left a deep impression on me, and I left motivated to continue activities related to young people.
Contributing to the Youth Power Summit 2024 as a Youth Power Champion at Restless Development was incredibly rewarding. Highlights included selecting bursary recipients and collaborating on the announcement video. This enriching experience excites me for our continued impact in empowering youth globally.
