This original training was developed by the Arab Foundation for Freedoms and Equality. It was adapted for online use through the LINKAGES project and Freedom House and with support from the USAID Middle East Bureau Technical Services Health Office and the Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance Bureau.
This training package is for HIV program implementers and human rights activists working on issues related to HIV, key populations–including LGBTQ people, people who inject drugs, sex workers, and people living with HIV—and/or gender and sexuality in the MENA region. It is designed to help organizational leadership identify and prioritize the digital security risks their organizations face, catalogue their digital security strategies to identify both current gaps and strengths, develop security plans to address priority gaps, and determine how to fully implement security plans. It should be taken by a core group of individuals at an organization, who then go on to share their knowledge with others and support the full operationalization of digital security plans.
The training package contains seven different themes related to digital security.
- Understanding the importance of Digital Security
- Evaluating the risks that threatens their Digital Security
- Protecting devices from viruses and hackers
- Creating and updating passwords
- Protecting sensitive data
- Preserving communications privacy
- Using LGBTQ+ sites safely
The training begins with a security assessment that help activists or HIV program implementers better identify their gaps and needs. Training methodologies include educational videos and infographics, practice exercises, links and resources to broaden one’s understanding of the content, and quizzes to assess the acquired knowledge throughout the training.
Participants who choose the guided format are requested to go through the material before each of the live sessions, pre-scheduled by AFE. Before starting the training, all participants should complete an assessment of their current digital security strategies. Said assessment can be found at the beginning of the E-learning course.
The content of the seven modules of the training will require a maximum of 12 hours, without the live sessions. The training period extends to three days. The live sessions should be co-facilitated by two people—one who has expertise and experience on the security of CSOs working on Gender and Sexuality in the MENA Region, and another who is familiar with the participants who can track their progress toward achieving a certificate.
The Arab Foundation for Freedoms and Equality will be conducting live sessions every 2 months. If you are interested in having live sessions instead of going through a self-paced training make sure to enroll to the training with the live session in the language of your choice.
The first session will take place in the month of August. You will be notified of the exact date 2 weeks prior to the live session.
You can contact us directly if you have any question or need any clarification: rhea@afemena.org
