Children learn to fight violence with social media
On the 5th and 6th of June 2010, a group of children leaders from Mali learnt how to use social media on the internet to fully play their roles in the fight against school violence. The 20 participants were made up of members of children’s national parliament, young reporters and members of the Malian Movement of Working Children and Youths.
Social media will give children the opportunity to denounce violence without being afraid.
The impact
Social media will give children the opportunity to denounce violence without being afraid.
During the 2 day workshop, the children were enthusiastic to discover various communication systems on the internet. They said they were highly motivated to speak out in public and help their friends.
Salimata Kamaté, a 13 year old girl, came from the remote region of Kayes to participate. She was delighted to learn how to share her daily concerns with a greater audience and get advice: “I can easily tell other girls what’s happening with me and people will be aware of it. Many arrogant people will be afraid now because they can be humiliated and even be punished for their acts.”
No more isolation for children
Children’s silence and their inability to mobilise and denounce violence on their own are some of the reasons why this abuse continues and is harmful to their education. According to Bédo Traoré, specialist in children’s participation at Plan Mali, the ‘Learn Without Fear’ campaign will soon see new successes with the involvement of children:
“If children have the opportunity to speak freely in peer groups, they can report abusers in public without fear. This will strongly discourage evil-intentioned people and certainly reduce the number of cases of violence. Blogs, mobile phones, etc could create forums that can be used for this purpose.”
Keeping up the good work
Organised by the children’s national parliament with the support of Plan Mali, this training is part of the ‘Learn Without Fear’ campaign. After this first session held in Bamako, others will follow in rural areas and will form part of Plan Mali’s child participation programme, along with Kids Waves and YETAM.
