Online Volunteers in West and Central Africa advanced the efforts of multiple UN agencies in 2023 and 2024. This was done via awareness campaigns for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). We take a look at some of these campaigns.
|
|
|
|
UNFPA supported the government of Guinea to establish the National Youth Council (CNJ) in 2023. Fatoumata Fofana was one of the 500 Online Volunteers supporting the campaign. She shares, "I volunteered for this campaign because I believe everyone can make a positive impact. Supporting this initiative was my way of ensuring that youth voices are heard and that they play a role in decision-making."
Online Volunteers with UNFPA relayed key information about eligibility criteria, posted calls for applicants aged 18 to 35 and communicated messages from heads of agencies and government officials. UNFPA not only facilitated the establishment of the council but also encouraged young Guineans to actively participate in decision-making processes.
Fatoumata Fofana, Online Volunteer with UNFPA in Guinea. @ UNV, 2023.
UNDP recruited another 500 Online Volunteers who served in Cote d'Ivoire with the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Online Volunteers came from 30 countries worldwide and amplified the message of unity, tolerance, and respect across various social media platforms. Emilienne Mboutchack Cameroonian says, "As an Online Volunteer in the AFCON peace campaign, I used social media channels Facebook and WhatsApp to spread positive messages and unite people. My goal was to create harmony and prevent conflicts during this big event."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Over 300 Online Volunteers supported WHO's campaign to address cervical cancer in Niger. Of these, about 60 per cent were women. There were 38 persons with disabilities. This health campaign raised awareness of prevention and screening methods for cervical cancer. Moumouni Gatti, a Nigerien Online Volunteer says, "As a woman with a disability living in a rural area, I know many women lack awareness about cervical cancer. Raising awareness and encouraging screenings is necessary."
|
|
|
OHCHR launched a social cohesion campaign to promote peace and stability in Senegal during the presidential elections in March 2024. To support the campaign, 67 Online Volunteers created visuals and raised awareness about voting, conflict prevention, and transparency. These messages highlighted the importance of free and fair elections. "Online Volunteering can be used to raise awareness and promote peace, especially in contexts like the elections in Senegal. Sharing messages of peace on social media can diffuse tensions and strengthen tolerance among the people," shares Benoit Sarr, Online Volunteer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Online volunteering ensures equal opportunities and presents significant innovation, demonstrating effective contribution in a virtual work environment," adds Habibou Dia, Public Information Officer with OHCHR, who supervised Online Volunteers during the Social Cohesion campaign.
In 2023, 1771 Online Volunteers served with UN partners in West and Central Africa — amplifying the value add of Online Volunteering to tackle sustainable development challenges from any device anywhere in the world.
To find out more about Online Volunteering, please click here.