The aim of the academy is to provide and develop specific skills in the area of sustainability reporting and improve knowledge on various corporate policies related to the protection of women's rights.

The academy includes the following topics:

• ESG - Introduction. Basic concepts and principles
• Human rights and gender equality
• Principles for economic empowerment and family-friendly workplace policies
• Good practices: supporting women at work, cyber security and leadership

Each module is divided into theory and practice and aims to provide the basics and build knowledge in the area of ESG (Environmental, Social, and corporate Governance)  and the protection of women's rights, as an opportunity to apply what has been learned in the workplace , by both leaders and employees to contribute to building socially responsible business models.

Who is the academy suitable for?

The Academy is suitable for everyone looking to upgrade their skills and knowledge related to equality and women's rights (managers, business owners, sustainable development specialists, representatives of civil society organizations, etc.).

HORARIUM

2 modules of 8 academic hours (16 academic hours)

SCHEDULE

2 days, all day, fully remote via Zoom

This is the second edition of the academy, with the first successfully held in June 2023.

The online academy is supported by the Bulgarian Foundation for Business and Human Rights.

The competition was designed for outstanding young women aged 16 to 25 years who are active in various fields of public life and would like to present their perspectives and understanding of the role of women in the fight against climate change, as well as make concrete recommendations for women's involvement in national and/or global action against climate change.

The contest reached nearly 25, 000 people, quite a few were interested and 7 young ladies wrote and submitted essays complying with the stated criteria.

From 12 to 14 May at the "St. Anastasia" Hotel in Burgas, during the Second Area 05, District 30, Zonta International Board Meeting for Biennium 2022-2024 the winners of the contest were announced and awarded.

The first place was awarded to Kristina Dimitrova from Plovdiv, the second place was awarded to Nur Mehmedali from Burgas, and the third place went to Alexandra Ivanova, also from Burgas. 

Kristina and Nur were present in person and not only were they able to receive their prizes, accompanied by certificates and yellow roses - the symbol of Zonta, but also to meet the Zonta members present at the meeting, who warmly welcomed them into the community of the biggest organization of women professionals.

Alexandra was unfortunately unable to attend and her award was given to Zonta Club of Bourgas's President - Mrs. Daniela Georgieva, who will make sure she recieves it at another convenient time.

Area 05 thanks everyone who participated in the contest and congratulates again Kristina, Nur and Alexandra for their success with wishes for many more in the future!

Impersonation, hacking, spam, stalking, spying, and malicious exposure of personal conversations, images, and videos are all examples of gender-based violence on the Internet. It is critical to be sufficiently informed and familiar with them in order to recognize them and know who to contact when witnessing or experiencing violence online. Zonta Bulgaria's project "NO to cyberviolence against women and children" aims to prevent cyberviolence in all of its forms through a large-scale public awareness campaign and legislative amendments.

Cyberviolence

Cyberbullying is described as online behavior that intentionally or not harms or threatens a person's physical, psychological, or emotional well-being. Cyberbullying can take several forms, including:

• Written or verbal (phone calls, text messages, e-mails, chats, blogs, social media, websites etc.)
• Visual - publishing, distribution, or sharing of compromising photographs and videos
• Exclusion - deliberate removal of someone from an online group
• Theft and disclosure of personal information, as well as the use of another person's identity or account, are all examples of impersonation

Cyberstalking

Cyberstalking entails a series of occurrences that, while each one may or may not be harmful on its own when taken together, undermine the victim's sense of security and create distress, fear, or anxiety. What methods are used to commit online harassment?

• Sending offensive or threatening emails, text messages (SMS), or instant messages
• Posting offensive remarks about the victim on the internet
• Sharing intimate photos or videos of the victim without her consent on the Internet or via mobile phone

To be considered cyberstalking, these acts must take place repeatedly and be perpetrated by the same person.

Non-consensual pornography
Sharing sexually explicit photographs or videos without the permission of the victim. Abusers employ the following methods to carry out their actions:

• Posting and distributing sexually explicit photographs or videos online without the victim's consent
• Revenge porn - cases where people (mainly men) publish sexually explicit content of their partners (mainly women) as an act of revenge after a breakup. They often publish the victim's contact information, including phone number, email address, Facebook profile, and home address, along with the materials for the purpose of humiliation and revenge, which results in women being bombarded with harassment, humiliation, and threatening messages from strangers.
• Creep shots or upskirting - sharing and distributing sexually explicit photographs/videos obtained without the victim's consent 
• Creating and distributing deepfakes - images, videos, or audio recordings of a person saying or doing things he has never said or done in real life. The fact that the person did not actually do the crimes still affects his reputation, as the recordings or images that have been transmitted appear to be authentic.
• Recording and distributing sexual activities committed without the victim's consent (e.g., rape) 

Exploitation, coercion, and online threats (grooming or sextortion)

Sexually threatening or forcing victims to engage in sexual activity online, or blackmailing them with sexual content 

• Pressuring the victim to disclose sexual photographs or engage in sexual activities online or offline
• Threatening to disseminate sexual content (pictures, videos, or rumors) as a form of threats or extortion (so-called sextortion)
• Threats of physical sexual harassment on the internet (e.g. threats of rape)
• Persuading others into committing sexual violence via the internet
• Encouraging someone to engage in sexual activity and then sharing evidence of it

Unwanted sexualization

Receiving inappropriate sexual demands, comments, or content. This can include a variety of behaviors, such as:

• Sexualized comments (e.g. on photos)
• Pressuring victims to participate in viral sexualized campaigns
• Sending sexual content (photos, emojis, texts) without the victim's consent
• Unwanted sexual interference or requests for sexual services
• Sexualized jokes
• Peer assessment of attractiveness / sexual activity
• Changing victim's image for the purpose of sexualization

Unsolicited pornography

Unwanted pornography is one of the most common and harmful types of cyberbullying that women are facing. In these cases, offenders send random and unsolicited emails or text containing sexual photographs or videos, infamously referred to as dick pics. According to statistics, 90 percent of the time, women obtain such images from men without their consent. The victims claim that this was a traumatic experience for them. Unwanted pornography on the internet is frequently dismissed, yet specialists believe it is closely linked to the same offline behavior known as exhibitionism.

Slut-shaming

Criticizing people online, most often women and girls, who are thought to break sexuality-related expectations of behavior and appearance e.g. breaking the dress code by clothing in ways that are viewed as sexually provocative; requesting access to birth control; premarital, adulterous, casual, or indiscriminate sex or prostitution are examples of slut-shaming. Unfortunately, slut-shaming often includes accusations of victims of rape or other forms of sexual violence.

Cyberviolence by former/current partners

This form of cyberbullying includes the following acts:

• Using technology to monitor and regulate the partner's behavior and actions
• Using the partner's password to gain access to his or her email or social media accounts without permission
• Installing tracking devices or software to spy on the partner's location, or using digital media to inflict emotional violence and verbal threats during or after the relationship has ended

Why is cyberviolence against women becoming more common?

It is simple to remain anonymous on the Internet, which is one of the most important prerequisites for committing crimes; it is much easier for perpetrators to go unpunished in the digital world. Constantly expanding technologies and their widespread availability also contribute to the rise in incidents; a person can be viewed or tracked by another person even if they have little or no technical skills. Photos, slander, rumors, and other misogynistic content are extremely inexpensive and easy to distribute. The ability to communicate with anyone on the globe broadens the range of potential victims while decreasing the possibility of criminals being identified and punished.

The impacts of cyberviolence on the victims

According to studies, victims of cyberviolence experience emotional distress, depression symptoms, low self-esteem, and higher levels of social anxiety than those who have not encountered it. Sadly, suicide is a common outcome for women who have been subjected to cyber violence and shaming. Whatever content a person publishes on the Internet becomes a permanent part of his online and, in certain situations, offline identity. Cyberbullying may have a severe effect on victims' emotional and physical health, as well as their social and personal relationships. Even after recovery, the memories and traumas of what happened in many cases last for a lifetime.

Prevention is crucial, and it can only be accomplished by raising awareness from a young age. As a result, Zonta Bulgaria's project involves a large-scale public awareness campaign, as well as a series of educational sessions for students, teachers, employees of businesses and non-governmental organizations, and parents.

Start by choosing a good email

Spam is one of the most significant problems in the digital world, which is why choosing the appropriate email is so important for minimizing the problems it causes and avoiding the risk of being scammed or infecting your operating system. Gmail (Google Inc.), Yahoo! Mail (Yahoo! Inc.), and Windows Live Hotmail (Developer: Microsoft Corp.) are some of the most popular options in this market.

Be wary of emails from unknown senders

Emails from unknown senders should be treated with caution. Users often receive them in their email, and frequently, they include an attachment that, if downloaded and run, can infect the entire system. Never open a mail from an unknown sender. When working with e-mail attachments, proceed with caution and pay special attention to files ending in .exe, .com, .bat, or .pif.

VirusTotal can prove useful when checking for suspicious files and links. This is a web-based system that sends a file or link to over 40 antivirus companies, which scan it for harmful code and return the results in a convenient format within minutes.

Be careful while surfing the web

Malware can traditionally be found on websites that provide unlicensed software and those that extract pornographic material. However, this does not imply that they are the only such sources, or that a formerly clean website has not since become "black". While searching for information on Google, you are extremely likely to stumble across similar pages.

Some of the most popular site inspection programs are Web of Trust (WOT), SiteAdvisor Software (Developer: McAfee Inc.), and Norton Safe Web (Developer: Symantec Corp.). You can use them to personally inspect any selected website and obtain reliable information about it in seconds, which will help you determine whether or not to trust it. WOT and SiteAdvisor both feature browser-specific solutions, which is a benefit. For example, there is a Firefox add-on which indicates whether a site is secure or not while browsing on Google.

Don't neglect Windows updates

Many users make this mistake which often leads to problems at some point. Microsoft generates and delivers monthly updates that are available to users, but they frequently ignore them. Fixes for the operating system's vulnerability, as well as improvements to Windows and program performance, are included in the upgrades. The user can pick which updates to install and which not to, but the operating system's security must be downloaded and installed at any cost. It is critical to have the most recent service pack and updates in order to be as secure as possible.

Regularly update the software you use.

Few people are aware that the software they use, particularly Adobe Reader and the Java Runtime Environment, also have their weaknesses. Because they are so frequently utilized, they become a natural target for hackers. Other programs are also targeted, including web browsers (such as Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox), instant messaging software (such as Skype), and other apps. You can never be too careful, so make sure to check for and update any programs you use on a regular basis. This is just as vital as keeping your operating system up to date.

Everyday life, however, provides examples of many forms of cyberviolence. Unfortunately, criminal users obtain no less access to the network than others. They expertly exploit the Internet for criminal purposes such as sexual assault, fraud, and human trafficking against children and teenagers, relying on their juvenile naivety and lack of knowledge about potential threats.

Raising awareness of this alarming trend among both children and parents is one of the most important objectives of Zonta Bulgaria's project "NO to cyberviolence against women and children". This includes following the basic guidelines for accessing the Internet and discussing them with family members on a regular basis.

Experts provide some recommendations to parents on how to protect their children and themselves from cyberviolence.

Introduce the Internet's dangers to your children

Remind them that you should never trust someone you meet online, whether in a chat room or elsewhere. Demonstrate to them how some people tend to impersonate others (adults with bad intentions pretend to be children).

Dating sites are particularly hazardous! They're one of the most popular tools for pedophiles on the hunt for youngsters. Limit your kids' access to them and make sure they're aware of the dangers.

Teach your children to be cautious!

Use the internet as a family

Always be interested in what your children are doing online and who they are interacting with. Discuss the websites they visit with them; the people they communicate with via email, chat rooms, games, or social media (Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, Snapchat, and so on); and be engaged in the games they play.

Limit the access

Limit the amount of time your children will be allowed to access the Internet and arrange it to align with when you will be at home.

Make it clear that meetings with strangers are prohibited, and explain why

Allowing your children to attend gatherings/meetings organized by someone they met on the internet is never a good idea. If the presence at such a meeting is required, make sure you accompany them.

Keep a close eye on things

If you come across content or messages on the internet that offends, shocks, or upsets you or anybody else - leave the page/conversation and report it to the authorities. They will be able to take the required actions to stop all criminal conduct in this manner.

Protect your data and information

Make your password as tough to guess as possible when creating it. Never use personal information such as names, phone numbers, nicknames, dates of birth, PIN codes, social security numbers and etc. Use various usernames and passwords for different programs and sites to protect your other accounts if a password gets compromised. If the system you're entering into allows it it's always a good idea to mix uppercase and lowercase letters, as well as add numbers and characters when generating a password (e.g., /?! # @ $ percentage & * - +; "; etc.). Always use a password that is distinct from your username.

Filter information

Installing software that filters information so that it is appropriate for children and teenagers is a good idea. These are available in both Google Play for Android devices and the App Store for iOS devices. Google Family Link, ESET Parental Control, Parental Control Kroha, Parental Control App Kidslox and etc. are examples of such tools.