On 18 September 2024, Tales of Turning supported by ACCORD hosted a webinar on the National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) in relation to technology-facilitated gender-based violence and digital peacebuilding. South African women peacebuilders, digital innovators, and experts came together to explore the intersection of technology and peacebuilding. The webinar was part of the “In Our Backyard: A Peacebuilding Initiative on WPS” workshops, which aimed to popularise South Africa’s National Action Plan on WPS to the participants’ local communities.
Ms. Paidamwoyo Mudzimuirema, Media and Communications at ACCORD kicked off the conversation by presenting an overview of South Africa’s NAP on WPS tracing the journey, which started in 2009. The NAP runs until 2025 with the mission to build a safer South Africa where women, girls and gender non-conforming persons meaningfully participate in peace processes in all conflict and non-conflict contexts. This overview set the stage for technology and its role in implementing the SANAP-WPS. Ms. Jenna-Lee from Tales of Turning, a participating organisation in ACCORD’s ‘In our Backyard’ initiative, shared an eye-opening presentation on how they use digital tools to address violence, especially gender-based violence facilitated by technology.
Social media, which can often be a breeding ground for misinformation and hate, is being transformed into a space for peacebuilding. With social media listening platforms and data analytics, Tales of Turning aims to provide preventative measures. Ms. Jenna Lee emphasised the importance of not overlooking the digital world in peacebuilding, highlighting that it is where misinformation spreads but also where it can be countered.
In collaboration with the University of Washington, Tales of Turning has pioneered the use of truth queries during South African elections, small but powerful questions like, “Is this true?” that encourage people to pause and rethink before sharing false information. It is a subtle but effective tool, with studies showing that truth queries drastically reduce the spread of misinformation.
Jenna echoed this sentiment, explaining how these digital interventions are reshaping peacebuilding noting that they saw a change in the way people engage with information with a significant drop in the resharing of harmful content because of truth queries.
The core of the conversation centred on the stories of community-based peacebuilders. Tales of Turning highlighted the efforts of ordinary women, often unsung heroes, who use their smartphones and social media to challenge harmful norms and promote peace in their communities. Ms. Jenna Lee shared that Tales of Turning provided digital peacebuilding training to 37 local organisations that are crafting new narratives, and technology is helping them share their stories with the world.
As the webinar drew to a close, the speakers reflected on the future. The South African NAP on WPS is set to be renewed in 2025, and the role of digital tools in implementing its objectives has never been more important. From early warning systems that detect signs of violence to social media strategies that combat misinformation, technology is becoming a key ally in the fight for peace and gender equality.
The conversation ended with a powerful call to action: collaboration. To truly build a safer South Africa and a safer world women must not only be included but lead the way in creating the digital tools that will protect them. As the 2025 deadline approaches, it is clear that the National Action Plan on WPS will need to fully embrace the potential of technology to continue making progress toward lasting and inclusive peace.
ACCORD remains committed to increasing the participation of women and integrating gender perspectives in all peace and security efforts.
