In an era where digital platforms play an ever-expanding role in shaping societal norms, rights, and freedoms, understanding the digital landscape and its governance is more crucial than ever!
KELIN has been advocating for the use of digital health technologies to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030 through the Transform Health Kenya Coalition. We have supported the enhancement of a legislative framework for digital health technologies at National and County level through providing technical assistance, advocacy initiatives and capacity building. KELIN is also advancing digital health rights and inclusion through research conducted at the regional and global levels, that seeks to include young people and adolescents in decision making spaces.
On 13th and 14th March, KELIN participated in a Digital Governance Survey organized by Mzalendo Trust aimed at shaping a Training Manual for civil society organizations (CSOs) on Digital Governance Frameworks, Safety, and Emerging Trends. The survey will be utilized as a key resource in strengthening digital governance practices. Mzalendo Trust and Oxfam also organized a training for 36 CSO representatives C and Human Rights Defenders from different parts of Kenya designed to reinforce the survey findings and equip the participants with practical knowledge and tools on the same subject.
According to the survey findings presented during the training by Michael Oyaro of APL Consultants, it was interesting to note that Kenyans spend an average of 3 hours 43 minutes daily on social media surpassing the global average by 1 hour 13 minutes against internet penetration of 56.03%. Most government services including healthcare services have now been digitized through uptake of digital health technologies. There are however gaps that hinder safe use of digital health services in Kenya such as the gender gap in phone ownership and internet usage, the absence of clear, enforceable regulations and laws to guide health care providers and workers on how to harness digital health technologies and the staggered government ownership and leadership in advancing digital health transformation.
To address these gaps, CSOs have an important role to play to ensure digital rights of individuals are protected, including raising awareness, advocating for policies that will effectively address challenges relating to affordability, accessibility and inclusivity, ; training people on digital literacy reaching the underserved populations to ensure inclusivity. Lastly, they must monitor government policies and advocate for transparency in digital initiatives. CSOs must also promote gender inclusive approaches to bridge the digital gender divide to allow for equal opportunity. Our support for digital literacy initiatives especially for marginalised populations will be key for equality. Lastly, let us not shy away from engaging in collaborative efforts with government to strengthen data protection frameworks.
KELIN remains committed to championing initiatives aimed at reducing the abovementioned gaps towards the realization of the right to the highest standard of health for all people in Kenya. The training offered by Mzalendo and Oxfam provided lessons to guide advocacy for digital rights such as through support of enactment of laws and policies that will advance digital safety, promotion of digital literacy initiatives, research and capacity building on safe internet use and continued collaboration with government to encourage people centred innovation and technologies.
“The increased internet use does not equate to equal access to the internet. 9% of women and 59% of men have internet access highlighting a significant Gap! Additionally, measures to ensure disability inclusion are snail-paced excluding then from accessing major services. On the legislative side, Kenya lacks a comprehensive legislative framework to advance digital rights, enhance privacy and to exercise the freedom of expression. There is need for stronger alignment between Kenya’s digital policies and international human rights standards, particularly in content moderation, data protection and cyber security” , APL Consultants
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