To commemorate this year’s International Human Rights Day, Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a leading Pan African human rights and advocacy organisation launched a short film online.

The movie, Finding Diana, which is inspired by the organisation’s 2021 Londa report, will be showcased live on YouTube today, a day before the International Human Rights Day which is commemorated on 1oth December. The film will be screened to audiences drawn from different parts of the world. The 2021 Londa report highlights the state of digital rights and inclusion in 22 countries across the continent.

Every year, PIN monitors the environment, documents violations, and reports on the state of digital rights and inclusion in Africa. The title of the report, which emanates from Zulu origin, echoes a call for action to protect or defend the digital rights and inclusion environment in Africa

Paradigm Initiative has also built online platforms that educate and serve as safe spaces for the reporting of digital rights violations. These mediums, in the form of reports, short films, and educational online platforms, include Ayeta, Londa and Ripoti.

This year, International Human Rights Day is commemorated under the theme: Dignity, Freedom And Justice for All. The day is earmarked to celebrate and promote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Speaking ahead of the event, Ms. Thobekile Matimbe, the organisation’s Partnerships and Engagements Manager stressed the importance of the day saying human rights are based on values that keep the society fair, just and equal. She called on African States to guarantee human dignity and freedom online for all.

“Paradigm Initiative continues to make deliberate efforts geared towards expanding the continent’s digital rights. Finding Diana short film is an advocacy tool which goes a long way in emphasising themes such as internet freedom, freedom of expression and access to information among others. Everyone should be able to use the internet without fear of violence or harassment,” she added.

In premiering the movie virtually, PIN  joins the world to reflect on the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.

Paradigm Initiative (PIN) works to connect underserved young Africans with digital opportunities, and ensures protection of their rights. The organisation has worked in communities across Nigeria since 2007, and across Africa from 2017, building experience, community trust and an organisational culture that positions it as a leading social enterprise in ICT for Development and Digital Rights on the continent.

Across its regional offices in Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and beyond, PIN works to connect under-served African youth with improved livelihoods through our digital inclusion and digital rights programs.

The organization’s programs include Life Skills. ICT. Financial Readiness. Entrepreneurship (LIFE) training program, Dufuna, a digital readiness workshop for girls and life at school club program.

PIN has also built online platforms that educate and serve as safe spaces for the reporting of digital rights violations. These mediums, in the form of reports, short films, and educational online platforms, include Ayeta, Londa and Ripoti.

Paradigm Initiative is also the convener of the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF), a pan-African bilingual Forum that has held annually since 2013.