Mosepele Foundation Development Forum

Digital Safety Training

Date: 22 May 2026
Venue: Good Night Lodge
By: Rorisang Makoae

MFDF AGYW-Leads: Mapatsi Sekoai and Rorisang Makoae attended Digital Safety Training held at Good Night Lodge, facilitated by Safe Sisters Digital Safety. The training brought together young women leaders and advocates with the aim of strengthening digital resilience and equipping participants with practical strategies to navigate increasing risks in online spaces, particularly those affecting women and girls.

The training adopted a gender-responsive, trauma-aware, and participatory approach, recognising that digital spaces often mirror existing societal inequalities. It focused on both technical and behavioural aspects of digital security, including protection against Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) such as cyberstalking, doxxing, impersonation, account takeovers, non-consensual image sharing, and emerging threats like AI-generated deepfakes. Participants were also introduced to essential digital safety practices such as strong password management, use of password managers, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), secure communication platforms like Signal, and safe device and account hygiene.

In addition to technical skills, the training emphasised psychosocial safety, peer support systems, and participatory threat modelling. Participants were encouraged to assess risks by identifying what needs protection, from whom, and the likelihood of harm, reinforcing the idea that digital safety is both an individual and collective responsibility. The session also highlighted the emotional and psychological impact of online violence, especially for women in leadership and public spaces, and stressed the importance of supportive networks to address trauma and sustain safe digital behaviour change.

The participation of AGYW Leads, Mapatsi Sekoai and Rorisang Makoae, was particularly important as it strengthened youth leadership in digital safety advocacy...