12 April 2022, Almaty - The results of the online marathon of ideas "Digital Technologies Against Violence" (Spotlight Digital Challenge "IT vs Violence") were wrapped up as part of the regional programme of the Spotlight Initiative for Central Asia and Afghanistan. The organizers received 835 applications from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. During the registration, 73 teams were formed, including those with a mixed composition, bringing together young people from several Central Asian countries.

“The Spotlight Initiative actively responds to the latest trends. Today we are discussing how, in the wake of digitalization, to apply digital technologies in everyday actions to prevent and combat violence. And at the same time, we remind you of new threats and types of violence that have arisen when we spend a significant part of our time online,” – noted Maciej Madalinski, the Head of Political, Press and Information Section of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In 48 hours, the participants have developed and presented 58 ideas based on the three tracks of the competition – prevention of violence against women and girls; collection and visualization of data on violence; seeking and receiving assistance for victims of violence. According to the selection results, 14 teams received nominations and prizes. The winners of the competition noted that they intend to continue the search and development in the fight against gender-based violence.  

Ahead of the contest of ideas, the organizers conducted an educational marathon, where the leading experts in the field of combating gender discrimination and working with survivors of violence from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kosovo, Russia and Armenia shared with the participants the practical experience in the field of educational and analytical activities and assistance to survivors of violence. The participants interacted with young innovators who have already created solutions using digital technologies - "Algorithm of Light", "Burulai", "ClickHelp Bot", Safe YOU platform.

UNDP Deputy Representative in Kazakhstan Vitaly Vremis opened the online event and noted: “The main task of this event is to help young people learn to understand and see the problems and consequences of gender inequality, as well as to realize the possibilities of using information technologies to counter gender-based violence, including in the online space.”

The marathon outcomes in numbers: gender composition of 14 winning teams - 33 girls and 22 boys; 4 teams of girls won in the nominations "Original idea" and "Best presentation"; among the winners are 7 teams from Kazakhstan, 1 team from Uzbekistan and 2 teams from Kyrgyzstan.

Spotlight Initiative is the world’s largest dedicated effort to end all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030. It is implemented as a global multi-year partnership between the European Union and the United Nations. Today Spotlight Initiative is 25 country and regional programmes across the globe. Each programme is built around 6 pillars which define a unified holistic framework to eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls (EVAWG). This approach includes addressing legislative and policy gaps, strengthening institutions, promoting gender-equitable attitudes, providing quality services for survivors, producing disaggregated data and empowering women’s movements.