About me

 

Photo : Providence Baraka - August 2022

I am Providence Baraka a computer scientist and a digital human rights activist from the Democratic Republic of Congo, passionate about engaging youth in solving digital issues through literacy, mentorship, community engagement and activism.

I have collaborated with various organizations locally and regionally on emerging questions at the junction of Information Technology and Human rights through research and capacity-building activities, especially on aspects related to digital Inclusion, Cybersecurity, and Online safety for women human rights defenders & women in media.

I have been part of Internet Governance related debates locally with the Internet Society’s local chapter, the DRC Forum on Internet Governance; I am a fellow of the African School on Internet Governance - Class of 2021 and coordinated the First ever edition of DRC’s School of Internet Governance in June 2022.

I am also a fellow of the Internet Of Rights (IoR 2022 - 2023) fellowship by Article 19 at the Word Wide Web (W3C) Foundation where I contributed to discussions addressing the privacy and security of users in web standards development processes.

I am a Civic Tech practitioner convinced by the power of digital technology to positively empower people's lives by improving the democratic functioning of societies and communities by strengthening the role played by citizens in debates and decision-making processes.

 

I am a winner of the grand prize of the Hackathon organized by Internews, MILDDRC through the support of the European Union and the Government of DRC, after designing a multiplatform solution empowering community radio stations to increase their incomes and audiences to pursue their social mission. 

Research and Civic Technologies

As a researcher, I contributed to many reports like Londa 2020, 2021, and 2022 by Paradigm Initiative(PIN); The Global Information Society Watch 2021 - drawing recommendations to different stakeholders including the government regarding how to guarantee an open digital space promoting human rights and Democracy.
Locally I collaborated with the national Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and the local Internet Society chapter on activities aiming to strengthen the Internet.
Also, I initiated a youth-led civic tech lab providing technical support to local organizations designing tech platforms (Chatbots, data dashboards, etc) to interact and inform the community as well as influence decision-makers.

Let's keep in touch

I can speak French, English and Swahili; I would be delighted to know that you wanted to talk to me about my work at the crossroads of emerging technologies and human rights in DR CONGO and across the African continent.

I am always one email away :)

Email: barakaprovidence@gmail.com