In celebration of International Human Rights Day, the United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and The Asia Foundation unveiled on December 12 a P16.8-million ($300,000) initiative aimed at bolstering the cybersecurity defenses of human rights organizations in the Philippines. The program targets threats like doxing, phishing, and coordinated digital attacks.
As part of USAID and The Asia Foundation’s Initiative for Advancing Community Transformation (I-ACT) project, the “Cybersecurity for Human Rights in the Philippines” (C4HR-PH) initiative will equip more than 150 local organizations with essential tools and training over a ten-month period.
According to a news release from the U.S. Embassy, cybersecurity experts from The Asia Foundation will partner with national human rights coalitions to deliver customized workshops on risk management, digital security assessments, phishing prevention, and implementing protocols like multi-factor authentication and regular data backups.
These resources will empower human rights defenders to carry out their advocacy work securely, protect sensitive data, and continue pushing for justice and accountability without fear of online retaliation.
“Now more than ever, civil society organizations are reliant on technology and the internet to operate and pursue our advocacies,” said Sheila Formento, National Coordinator of the Alternative Law Groups, a coalition of organizations providing legal services to marginalized communities. “We welcome this partnership as it helps us protect our members who are constantly online and vulnerable to cyberattacks.”
C4HR-PH reflects USAID’s commitment to strengthening resilient, secure, and empowered civil society organizations vital to promoting human rights and democracy.
“Cyber resilience is not just about protecting data; it is about ensuring that democracy defenders can continue their vital work without fear of digital interference,” said USAID Philippines Acting Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks during the launch event attended by human rights advocates, cybersecurity experts, and other stakeholders. “This initiative reflects USAID’s commitment to fostering a safe and open digital space for civil society.”
The Asia Foundation Philippines Country Representative Sam Chittick emphasized the program’s urgency: “Civil society organizations are considered a high-risk community for cyberattacks because they can become under direct threat of malicious attackers but have limited defense capabilities. This crucial program will give our participants the tools and knowledge to better prevent disruptions, defend themselves, and continue to advance the work that they do.”
