Bamenda: ESFA and GWF Trains Over 30 Human Rights Defenders and Journalists on Digital Security, Legal Protection and Psychological Resilience

BAMENDA, CAMEROON | October 29, 2026, More than 30 human rights defenders, civil society actors and journalists have participated in a two-day capacity-building training on digital security, psychological resilience and legal protection organised by Globe Watch Foundation (GWF) and Ethical and Sustainable Future for All (ESFA), in partnership with the Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI) and CIVICUS.

The training took place on 24 and 25 October 2026 at Blue Pearl Hotel in Bamenda, Northwest Region of Cameroon, under the themes “Strengthening the Digital Resilience Capacities of Civil Society Actors and Rights Defenders in Cameroon” and “Advancing Psychological Resilience and Legal Protection for Civil Society Actors and Rights Defenders in Cameroon.”

The initiative aimed to equip participants with practical knowledge and skills to address digital threats, understand legal protections, document security incidents and strengthen their psychological well-being in an increasingly challenging civic environment.

Strengthening Digital Security for Human Rights Defenders

The digital security sessions were facilitated by Mr Shing Timothy, who guided participants through essential digital protection strategies and organisational security practices.

Participants examined digital rights and civic space, including the impact of surveillance, internet shutdowns, censorship and disinformation on freedom of expression, public participation and human rights advocacy.

The sessions also explored the digital threat landscape, with practical discussions on phishing, malware, account compromise, doxxing and the identification of vulnerabilities that may expose civil society organisations and individual defenders to cyberattacks.

Particular attention was given to personal digital security, including the use of strong passwords and password managers, multi-factor authentication, secure mobile devices, safe browsing and appropriate social media privacy settings.

Participants further explored secure communication and data protection, covering end-to-end encryption, metadata, secure online meetings, the protection of confidential sources and whistle-blowers, data encryption, secure backups and responsible information-sharing practices.

The training also addressed incident response and organisational governance. Participants learned about identifying, containing, investigating and recovering from digital security incidents, as well as the importance of institutional security policies that clearly establish responsibilities and response procedures.

These discussions underscored the need for civil society organisations to adopt preventive digital security measures rather than waiting until cyber incidents occur before taking action.

Legal Protection and Digital Rights in Cameroon

The sessions on legal protection were facilitated by Mr Wandia Praise, who led discussions on international, regional and national legal frameworks governing digital rights, privacy, freedom of expression and the protection of human rights defenders.

Participants reviewed relevant provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ 2019 Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa.

The training examined the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality when assessing restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms.

At the national level, discussions focused on Cameroon’s constitutional guarantees, Law No. 2010/012 on Cybersecurity and Cybercrime, Law No. 2024/017 on Personal Data Protection and relevant provisions of the Penal Code.

Participants also considered concerns relating to the application of provisions on false news, alongside hypothetical cases involving online harassment, surveillance and censorship.

Through practical exercises, they explored possible legal remedies and the importance of obtaining appropriate legal assistance when digital rights are threatened or violated.

The sessions highlighted that digital resilience requires not only technical competence but also an understanding of the legal frameworks that protect individuals and organisations operating in the digital environment.

Digital Attacks and the Psychological Well-being of Defenders

Beyond technical security and legal protection, the training placed significant emphasis on the psychological consequences of online harassment and intimidation.

Participants discussed how constant surveillance, doxxing, hate campaigns and death threats can contribute to anxiety, emotional distress, sleep disturbances and symptoms associated with psychological trauma.

The discussions further highlighted the risk of burnout among human rights defenders and journalists who must respond to online attacks while continuing their fieldwork, advocacy and reporting responsibilities.

Women human rights defenders and sexual minority defenders may face additional challenges, including gendered disinformation, misogynistic abuse and sexualised attacks, which can compound the psychological burden of their work.

Participants also examined how fear of further attacks can lead to isolation and self-censorship, causing defenders to withdraw from public platforms, limit their reporting or distance themselves from professional support networks.

These effects extend beyond individual victims. When journalists, human rights defenders and civil society organisations are intimidated, others may become reluctant to speak out, report violations or participate in civic activities. Such conditions can weaken public accountability and shrink civic space.

The training therefore reinforced the importance of treating psychological well-being as an integral component of the protection of human rights defenders.

Practical Strategies for Digital and Psychological Resilience

Participants explored practical measures that civil society organisations can adopt to reduce digital risks and strengthen the well-being of their staff, volunteers and members.

Among the key strategies discussed was the institutionalisation of psychosocial support. Organisations were encouraged to integrate confidential counselling, trauma-informed debriefing, appropriate rest periods and access to qualified mental health professionals into their security policies and operational budgets.

The training also emphasised the importance of establishing clear digital safety boundaries. Measures such as rotating social media monitoring responsibilities, strengthening privacy settings, documenting abusive incidents and setting clear protocols for blocking, muting or disengaging from online harassment can help reduce unnecessary exposure to harmful content.

Collective care and peer support were identified as equally important. Buddy systems, regular team check-ins, confidential peer-support circles and women-led safe spaces can help defenders share experiences, access support and overcome the isolation often associated with online attacks.

Participants were also encouraged to build trauma awareness and self-care skills within their organisations, including training team leaders in psychological first aid and recognising early signs of stress and burnout.

Another key lesson was the importance of documenting online abuse without remaining continuously exposed to it. Preserving screenshots, archiving relevant links, recording threats and reporting incidents through appropriate channels can help protect evidence while allowing affected individuals to disengage and seek support.

The training further highlighted the need for accessible and inclusive protection networks, specialised digital security assistance, appropriate legal remedies and comprehensive psychosocial support.

Promoting Safe Advocacy and Responsible Documentation

The final sessions focused on safe advocacy, ethical storytelling, countering disinformation and developing personal and organisational action plans.

Participants considered how to assess risks before launching online campaigns, protect campaign participants and avoid exposing victims, witnesses, confidential sources or beneficiaries to unnecessary danger.

The sessions also addressed evidence collection, verification, incident-reporting procedures and referral mechanisms. Participants were reminded of the importance of preserving digital evidence responsibly while respecting privacy, confidentiality and the safety of affected individuals.

The development of action plans provided an opportunity for participants to identify practical steps for strengthening digital security, improving incident-response mechanisms and integrating psychological support into their organisations.

These measures are particularly relevant for civil society actors and journalists working in sensitive environments, where compromised accounts, unsafe information-sharing practices and inadequate protection systems can expose both individuals and their organisations to additional risks.

A Call for Comprehensive Protection of Human Rights Defenders in Cameroon

The Bamenda training highlighted the need for a coordinated approach to protecting human rights defenders, journalists and civil society actors in Cameroon.

Digital security, legal protection and psychological resilience are interconnected dimensions of human rights work. Protecting online accounts alone is insufficient if defenders lack access to legal assistance, psychosocial support or institutional mechanisms for responding to threats.

Civil society organisations must therefore make digital security a continuous organisational priority, establish clear procedures for responding to attacks and ensure that staff and volunteers can access appropriate support when their safety or well-being is threatened.

Development partners and donors also have an important role to play by recognising digital protection and psychosocial support as essential components of sustainable civil society capacity building.

The protection of human rights defenders is not only about safeguarding individuals. It is also about preserving the civic space necessary for freedom of expression, access to information, public accountability and democratic participation.

Conclusion

Through this two-day initiative, Globe Watch Foundation and Ethical and Sustainable Future for All, in partnership with the Digital Democracy Initiative and CIVICUS, contributed to strengthening the capacity of civil society actors, journalists and human rights defenders to navigate digital threats, understand legal protections and safeguard their psychological well-being.

The participation of more than 30 stakeholders in Bamenda underscored the importance of equipping defenders with practical tools and knowledge to respond to emerging security challenges while sustaining their human rights work.

The training reaffirmed a fundamental principle: human rights defenders cannot effectively protect the rights of others if their own security, dignity and psychological well-being are neglected.

Strengthening digital resilience, advancing legal protection and institutionalising psychosocial support are therefore essential steps towards a safer civic environment and a more resilient human rights community in Cameroon.

Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) — Promoting human rights awareness, legal research, accountability and the protection of fundamental freedoms.