Digital Rights Frontlines -DRF

What does digital resilience and impact look like?

It looks like people equipped with essential skills, communities engaged in constructive dialogue, and a collective commitment to a safer, more inclusive digital future.

Over the past year, DRF has played a significant role in strengthening South Sudan’s digital ecosystem to enhance media integrity, increase online safety awareness, foster community engagement, and build digital skills capacity.

This impact is demonstrated by:
✅34+ journalists trained across radio stations.
✅38 fact-checks published by 211 Check.
✅850+ cyber incidents documented by SafetyComm South Sudan since 2021.
✅255 hate speech incidents monitored.
✅50+ community leaders engaged through the Jonglei Forum.
✅South Sudan’s first ISO/IEC 27001 Certification Training delivered by DRF Academy

🔗Explore the insights and stories behind our work in the full 2025 Annual Report. https://lnkd.in/dTv-QD4g

Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa CFImedias Cisco Networking Academy

Persistent risks remain regarding surveillance, data retention, consent, cross-border data transfers, and the absence of independent oversight mechanisms.

Building on years of collaboration from the UNESCO-supported Draft Data Protection Bill (2020) to the Digital Policy Engagement Series (DiPES) 2025. The Data Protection Bill, 2025 (Version 1.0) workshop, in partnership with the National Communication Authority (NCA), demonstrates a shared commitment to establishing a robust and forward-looking data protection framework for South Sudan.

Key objectives of the workshop include:

✅ To present and critically examine the key provisions of the Data Protection Bill, 2025, including data subject rights, lawful processing principles, institutional mandates, and enforcement mechanisms.

✅ To share comparative experiences and best practices from the East African Community.

✅ To identify gaps, risks, and implementation challenges, including oversight, institutional independence, compliance, and remedies.

✅ To consolidate technical and policy recommendations to inform legislative refinement and downstream regulations.

The Data Protection Bill, 2025 (Version 1.0) represents a decisive step toward safeguarding personal data and strengthening trust in South Sudan’s evolving digital ecosystem.

Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa CFImedias EC-Council

Digital Rights Frontlines, in collaboration with the National Communication Authority - NCA, is convening a two-day consultative workshop on the Data Protection Bill, 2025.

This workshop serves as a structured forum for technical experts, civil society representatives, regulators, and policymakers to review and validate the Data Protection Bill, 2025 (Version 1.0).

With participation from over 30 stakeholders, including members of parliament, civil society organisations, representatives from the UNMISS legal unit, and the NCA, the workshop aims to ensure the bill aligns with constitutional, regional, and international standards and to develop actionable recommendations for its finalisation and implementation.

In his opening remarks, Hon. Rizig Dominic Samuel, Director General of the NCA, underscored the importance of the bill.

"Data protection is not merely a technical issue; it is a national priority that affects us all," he stated. "South Sudan’s recent enactment of cybersecurity regulation was a significant step forward, making the advancement of the Data Protection Bill both timely and essential."

Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa CFImedias

Building spaces where young people can explore new perspectives and solutions that shape technology for everyone is crucial to an equitable digital future.

Through the BiLDD initiative, girls from diverse backgrounds in South Sudan are gaining access to platforms where they can innovate and lead in technology.

From ideation to ex*****on, the girls’ journey throughout the AI App Development program wasn’t just about learning how to build apps but about stepping into a space often seen as “not for girls” and proving otherwise.

Each line of code, every idea pitched, and every challenge overcome is a reminder that girls belong in tech and they are shaping its future.

At DRF, we are committed to supporting and standing with young women and girls who are breaking barriers and proving that the future of tech is theirs to shape.

Stanbic Bank South Sudan National Communication Authority - NCA ITU Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa CFImedias Cisco Networking Academy Banat Initiative for Leadership & Digital Development DRF Academy

From the launch of a new skills development flagship to regional engagement, our latest newsletter gives you an in-depth look at the moments driving our mission forward.

Explore all the highlights and exclusive insights from quarter one.

Read more on our website: https://lnkd.in/dBfDsTKE

CFImedias Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa Cisco Networking Academy EC-Council



Digital Rights Frontlines -DRF is honoured to be part of this year’s Day, a celebration of creativity, ambition, and the limitless potential of girls in technology. In partnership with the National Communication Authority - NCA and Stanbic Bank South Sudan, we are committed to empowering the next generation of young digital leaders.

From inspiring keynote speeches and a deep dive into AI fundamentals, to dynamic app pitch presentations by emerging innovators. The day reflected what’s possible when girls are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to shape technology.

The Day is a reminder that the future of digital innovation and emerging technologies isn’t something to passively await, but what we actively build together. By uplifting girls in tech, we are collectively shaping a more inclusive digital ecosystem for all.

"That’s AI.”👀
And she knows exactly what she’s looking at.
Understood with purpose.
As we celebrate this Girls in ICT Day 2026, we’re putting AI literacy where it belongs — in the hands of those shaping the future.

National Communication Authority - NCA Digital Rights Frontlines -DRF Banat Initiative for Leadership & Digital Development

Today, we celebrate the potential of girls exploring ICT as creators, leaders, and changemakers shaping the digital future.

This year’s theme, “AI in Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future,” highlights the role girls and young women play in developing inclusive, innovative technologies that drive sustainable progress.

At DRF, we continue to support and invest in initiatives in spaces that equip young people with the skills and confidence to lead in tech and beyond.

Banat Initiative for Leadership & Digital Development

An inclusive digital future starts with all of us.
As part of International Girls in ICT Day 2026, celebrated under the theme “AI in Development – Girls Shaping the Digital Future,” we are launching the “I Am Shaping the Digital Future” social media campaign, and we want YOU to be part of it! Through the campaign, we’re spotlighting the voices and stories of those actively leading change across tech and beyond.

This campaign is about visibility, confidence, and representation. Showing girls everywhere that they belong in technology, especially in emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence.

Whether you’re a trailblazer in ICT or advocating for greater opportunities for girls and women in technology, your perspective and participation are essential to bridging the digital divide.