On 9 May 2026, the Jesuit Youth Office of Southern Africa in Zimbabwe hosted a workshop on Digital Dignity & Safety: Protecting Women’s Rights in Online Spaces, underscoring its mission to promote digital dignity and equip young people with tools for safe and responsible engagement in the region’s evolving digital landscape. The initiative resonates strongly with the publication of Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical released on 25 May 2026, which calls for safeguarding the human person in the age of artificial intelligence through the promotion of truth, dignity of work, social justice, and peace.

The workshop united youth in reflection, hands-on learning, and dialogue about the challenges women and girls face online. Sessions led by safeguarding, IT, and mental health experts provided actionable insights on digital risk and personal responsibility.

The facilitators highlighted the serious risks associated with oversharing personal information on social media, including identity theft, cyberstalking, online exploitation, blackmail, and digital harassment, which increasingly affect women and girls. They also addressed the growing prevalence of cyberbullying, hate speech, non-consensual sharing of content, and manipulation through digital platforms. Participants were encouraged to become more conscious of their digital footprints by strengthening privacy settings, verifying online interactions, practicing responsible online behaviour, and reporting harmful content and abuse through appropriate safeguarding and legal channels.

A major focus of the workshop was the relationship between digital engagement and mental well-being. Discussions explored how harmful online interactions can negatively affect emotional and psychological health, particularly among young people who spend increasing amounts of time in digital spaces. Participants were therefore encouraged to cultivate healthy online habits and to support one another in creating safer and more respectful digital environments.

Participants were provided with practical knowledge on Zimbabwe’s Cyber and Data Protection Act, which outlines legal measures for the protection of personal data, privacy rights, and penalties for cyber-related offences such as online harassment, identity theft, and unlawful distribution of information. The session helped participants understand their rights and responsibilities in digital spaces, while emphasizing the importance of lawful and ethical online conduct. In addition, Mrs. Theresa Sanyatwe highlighted the safeguarding reporting mechanisms available within the Province, focusing on the protection of vulnerable persons, timely reporting of abuse, confidentiality, survivor-centered support, and the creation of safe environments both
online and offline.

Beyond digital safety, the program reflected the Church’s broader vision of promoting the dignity of every human person in the digital age. The workshop resonated strongly with Pope Leo XIV’s call for the protection of what he describes as the “magnificia humanitas” of every individual, a humanity that must never be diminished, exploited, or violated through technology and online interactions. In emphasizing respect, compassion, truth, and responsibility in digital spaces, the workshop encouraged participants to recognize social media and technology not merely as tools of communication, but as spaces where human dignity and Christian values must also be upheld.

As digital platforms continue to shape communication, relationships, and access to information, the need for ongoing awareness initiatives remains critical. Through such engagements, the Jesuit Youth Office of Southern Africa continues to reinforce its core mission of accompanying young people, promoting human dignity, and fostering safe, inclusive, and transformative spaces where youth can thrive both online and offline. Rooted in Jesuit values and the vision of Integral Youth Development, the office remains committed to promoting digital dignity, safeguarding, and the protection of human rights in online spaces, especially for young people and vulnerable groups.

By, Benjamin T Matsika,

Youth Co-ordinator, Integral Youth Development (IYD) Office,

Jesuit Province of Southern Africa, Zimbabwe.