Opportunity: Digital Security Fellowship for LGBTIQ+ People in Malaysia
Baca siaran peluang penyertaan dalam Bahasa Melayu.
There is a rise in cases of cyber threats, from surveillance and hacking to doxxing everywhere. Even worse, do you know that LGBTIQ+ people in Malaysia are especially vulnerable to digital security risks like these?
The PROTECT Digital Security Fellowship is a six-month paid program by PLUHO and Internews that aims to provide LGBTIQ+ activists, community leaders, and members with digital security knowledge. The goal is for fellows to develop action plans to share this knowledge with communities to make them stronger and more resilient against digital threats. PLUHO and Internews will provide support and funds to run your action plans!
Ready to make a difference? Apply to be a fellow*! The deadline has been extended to Monday, March 18, at 11:59 PM.
*Borang permohonan juga disediakan dalam Bahasa Melayu.
Who are we looking for?
Folks who are a part of the LGBTIQ+ community in any location in Malaysia who are interested in digital safety and are keen to share this information with their communities. We seek community organizers, members, and practitioners with at least one year of involvement, volunteering, or advocacy in their communities. Knowledge of digital safety is required for this course is not required—just energy and excitement to learn! The main languages we will use are English, Bahasa Melayu, and Malaysian Sign Language.
Individuals from under-represented communities are encouraged to apply, including people living outside Klang Valley, people living in Sabah and Sarawak, lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) women, non-binary, transgender people, migrants, refugees and stateless people, low-income, sex workers, people living with disabilities, and others.
What is the timeline?
What are the commitments?
Fellows are expected to commit 4 hours weekly to online learning and engagement, join online sessions every two weeks, and attend two in-person sessions in KL in April and August 2024. After completing the fellowship, fellows will also participate in an international digital security event. All travel expenses will be covered. Fellows can apply for additional funding to run community engagement projects.
A stable internet connection is required to participate. We may provide funds for you to access the internet safely.
What are the benefits?
- Fellows will be provided a generous monthly stipend for their time and effort
- The program fully covers two trips to Kuala Lumpur to attend training and meet with fellow participants and trainers
- An opportunity to attend an international digital security event tentatively in September 2024
- Opportunity to apply for additional funds for action plans to engage the community on digital security
- Support to reduce your risk of participation in the fellowship, including Yubikeys and VPNs. These are tools to protect you and your devices from surveillance.
What will you learn?
Over four months of in-person and online training, fellows will learn numerous topics to understand digital security better. No prior knowledge is required. Topics include:
- Introduction to digital security and a feminist internet
- Learning common cyber threats & attacks, including phishing, malware, and social engineering, and how to protect yourself
- Learn risk assessment methodologies and develop risk mitigation strategies, including encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA), protecting personal information on social media, data privacy and protection, and more
- How to make communication and browsing online safer holistically, including considering emotional well-being and ethics
- How to protect organizations and communities against digital threats, and more!
Sessions will be conducted in English and Bahasa Melayu. Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) interpretation will also be provided if required.
Are you ready to PROTECT?
Apply to be a fellow* by 11.59pm, March 18. Email protectfellowship.my@gmail.com if you have any questions.
*Memohon dalam Bahasa Melayu.
