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C-SEMA attends the WeProtect Global Summit 2024.

C-Sema Team

From December 4th–5th, 2024, Abu Dhabi became the epicenter of a global movement to protect children from online exploitation and abuse, hosting the highly anticipated WeProtect Global Summit 2024. Co-hosted by the WeProtect Global Alliance and the Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates, this event came at a crucial time when safeguarding children in an increasingly digital world demands urgent, coordinated action. The summit’s theme, “A Critical Call for Action on Child Online Safety,” solidified the urgency of the mission.


With over 300 million children falling victim to online sexual exploitation and abuse each year, the scale of the crisis is staggering. Every second, reports of child abuse imagery flood law enforcement agencies, highlighting the dire need for immediate action. As technology evolves, so do the threats making the work of organizations like ours more essential than ever.


The summit brought together an extraordinary mix of global leaders: government officials, tech pioneers, academics, child safety advocates, and survivors of online abuse. Together, we explored cutting-edge solutions to some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including the risks posed by emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).


One of the summit’s pivotal moments was the unveiling of groundbreaking research on how emerging technologies are exploited to harm children. The topic of AI-generated child abuse material sparked discussions on how both technology and human intervention can combat this growing menace. From AI-powered tools that help law enforcement identify offenders in real-time to survivor-led panels offered invaluable insights, the summit showcased a future where innovation and empathy work hand in hand to protect children.

The voices of survivors stood at the heart of the event, providing deeply personal accounts that challenged the global community to step up with meaningful action. The #MyVoice#MyFuture campaign amplified the perspectives of young people, ensuring that their rights, concerns, and dreams of a safer online world took center stage.


Mr. Sebastian Kitiku - Director for the Department of Children Development - Ministry of Community Development, Iain Drennan - WeProtect's Executive Director, The Hon. Minister Dorothy Gwajima Ministry  of Community Development and Mr. Michael Marwa - Director of Child Helpline Tanzania and C-Sema's Head of Programs. (Left to right)
Mr. Sebastian Kitiku - Director for the Department of Children Development - Ministry of Community Development, Iain Drennan - WeProtect's Executive Director, The Hon. Minister Dorothy Gwajima Ministry of Community Development and Mr. Michael Marwa - Director of Child Helpline Tanzania and C-Sema's Head of Programs. (Left to right)

A standout session, “Health and Wellbeing: Looking After Frontline Responders,” shed light on the mental health challenges faced by those working tirelessly to protect children, including law enforcement officers, helpline counselors, and content moderators. This session emphasized the need for trauma-informed care, a cause championed by our Helpline’s Director and Head of Programs, Mr. Michael Marwa, who shared powerful insights from the frontlines.


Michael Marwa Director of Child Helpline Tanzania, C-Sema's Head of Programs and Regional Representative for Africa at Child Helpline International.
Michael Marwa Director of Child Helpline Tanzania, C-Sema's Head of Programs and Regional Representative for Africa at Child Helpline International.

Representing Africa with distinction, Michael who’s also the Regional Representative for Africa at Child Helpline International, highlighted the unique challenges faced by child protection responders across the continent. From navigating cultural barriers to addressing burnout among frontline responders, he brought all these critical perspectives to the table.

He also showcased innovative practices from Tanzania’s National Child Helpline, including daily debriefing sessions and access to mental health support for helpline staff. Marwa emphasized the importance of resilience-building in low-resource settings, offering a blueprint for empowering responders to continue their vital work.


Takeaways and a Call to Action

As the summit drew to a close, participants left with actionable steps to drive progress:

  • Developing robust policies on Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA) and AI technologies.

  • Establishing research departments to tackle emerging threats, including AI and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

  • Organizing regional summits, particularly in East Africa, to share best practices.

  • Collaborating with academic institutions to deepen research into digital safety and child protection.


The WeProtect Global Summit 2024 was a resounding reminder that protecting children online is a shared responsibility. Governments, tech innovators, law enforcement agencies, and civil society organizations must work together to create a safer digital world.

Through the contributions of leaders like Michael and the tireless efforts of all organizations like ours, the summit emphasized the importance of a holistic approach: combining policy advocacy, technological innovation, and mental health support for responders. As new threats continue to emerge, so too must our collective determination to safeguard children’s futures.


As the world continues to navigate the challenges of the digital age, the message is clear The time to protect the next generation is now!


Prepared by C-Sema's Communications Team.

 

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