On 7–8 March 2026, UNESCO Liaison Office to AU, UNECA and Ethiopia, in partnership with the Addis Ababa City Government Education Bureau, organized a two-day capacity-building workshop on addressing cyberbullying, hate speech, and other forms of online violence in education at the Elilly International Hotel in Addis Ababa.
The workshop brought together 90 participants, including teachers, education experts, government representatives, youth association leaders, and academic institutions, to strengthen their capacity to recognize, prevent, and respond to online risks affecting students. challenges such as cyberbullying, online harassment, misinformation, and harmful digital content. These issues can significantly affect learners’ mental health, sense of safety, and academic success.
During the opening session, Dr. Abdoulaye Salifou, Head of Education at the UNESCO Addis Ababa Liaison Office to the AU and UNECA and Representative to Ethiopia, emphasized that protecting learners from cyberviolence is both an educational and social responsibility. UNESCO data shows that 58% of young women and girls globally have experienced online harassment on social media platforms, highlighting the urgency of collective action.
The training provided participants with practical tools and knowledge on digital safety, cyberbullying prevention, digital rights and responsibilities, and digital well-being, while also introducing UNESCO’s guidelines for combating cyberviolence in education.
By empowering educators and youth leaders, the initiative aims to promote safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments—both offline and online—where students can learn, connect, and thrive.
read more: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/promoting-safer-digital-learning-environments-addis-ababa?hub=701
