Women and Youth in Internet Governance

Day 01, Session 02 of IGF Sri Lanka 2024 addressed the roles of women and youth in Internet governance, with a focus on inclusive participation, digital empowerment, and online safety. The session examined how women and young people can meaningfully engage in Internet governance processes and benefit from opportunities within the digital economy.

Discussions covered key thematic areas including women’s participation in the technology sector, the role of women and youth in Internet governance frameworks, internet addiction and online scam prevention, digital freelancing and entrepreneurship, secure online transactions, and emerging opportunities for youth in the digital ecosystem. Panelists highlighted the importance of capacity building, awareness, and policy coherence to ensure safe, equitable, and inclusive access to digital opportunities.

The session featured contributions from representatives of government, the private sector, academia, the technical community, and civil society, reflecting a multistakeholder approach. Speakers emphasized the need to strengthen digital literacy, promote responsible Internet use, and create enabling environments that support women- and youth-led innovation.

Panelists and moderators included:

  • Udara Dharmasena – Secretary, DMASL
  • Sachindra Samararatne – Associate Chief Digital Economy Officer, ICTA
  • Dinesh Jebamani – Vice President and Head of Digital Marketing, DFCC Bank
  • Dilanka Sanjaya – Managing Director, FONIX Software Solutions
  • Sandun Shanaka Dilshan – Community Leader, Fiverr
  • Subash Chandra Bowse – Country Director (Sri Lanka and Maldives), BPC Banking Technologies
  • Gumindu Garuka Kulatunga – Consultant in Health Informatics, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
  • A. D. M. A. Herath – Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist; Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo
  • Sashika Suren – Head of Systems Security and SRE Architect, Axiata Digital Labs
  • Pradeep Sylva – Consultant in Health Informatics, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
  • Bani Chandrasena – Chairperson, DCLK
  • Dilrukshi Gamage – Senior Lecturer, University of Colombo School of Computing
  • Janaki Kathriarachchi – Founder and Managing Director, Ranbath Organic Food (Pvt) Ltd and Three Star Organic Farm (Pvt) Ltd

The session concluded with a shared understanding of the need for continued multistakeholder collaboration to advance inclusive Internet governance, strengthen digital skills, and ensure safer online environments for women and youth.

The organizers acknowledged the support of partners and sponsors, including the Internet Society Foundation and Internet Society (Strategic Partner), APNIC Foundation (Silver Sponsor), ICANN and OSSEC Inc. (Bronze Sponsors), BCS – The Chartered Institute for IT (Award Sponsor), TV Derana (Electronic Media Partner), Flare Global (Social Media Partner), Dialog Enterprise (Enterprise Connectivity Partner), and Lanka Education and Research Network (LEARN) (Volunteer Partner).