As digital technologies become an integral part of everyday life, they also present new challenges that disproportionately affect women and girls. From cyberbullying and online harassment to identity theft and technology-facilitated gender-based violence, many people lack the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves or seek legal support. In Jaffna District, one media professional is helping change that reality.
Through the BRIDGE Programme, implemented by Chrysalis in partnership with the Law & Society Trust (LST), Puvasthina has transformed her media expertise into a powerful tool for digital rights advocacy. By combining mobile journalism, community awareness, and digital safety education, she is empowering communities to navigate the online world safely while strengthening access to justice for victims of cybercrime.
Transforming Media Skills into Community Action
As a Media Studies graduate and media professional based in Navatkuli, Jaffna, Puvasthina was already skilled in content creation and storytelling. However, before participating in the Capacity Building Workshop for Social Media Influencers and Mobile Journalism under the BRIDGE Programme, she had limited knowledge of cybercrime legislation, digital rights, online safety frameworks, and the legal mechanisms available to support victims of online abuse.
Recognising the growing risks faced by women and girls using digital platforms, she embraced the opportunity to strengthen her understanding of cybercrime prevention, the Online Safety Act, digital literacy, social media security, and reporting mechanisms available through the Sri Lanka Police Cybercrime Division.
The training equipped her not only with technical knowledge but also with the confidence to use media as a platform for protecting communities and promoting responsible digital citizenship.
Raising Awareness on Digital Safety
Following the training, Puvasthina began leading awareness programmes across Jaffna District, reaching students, parents, women, youth groups, universities, schools, and community organisations.
Through interactive workshops, social media campaigns, and community discussions, she educates participants on recognising cyber threats, protecting personal information, preventing online harassment, and understanding their legal rights in digital spaces.
Understanding the importance of accessibility, she developed awareness materials in Tamil, including short educational videos, posters, and online content, enabling local communities to access reliable digital safety information in their own language.
Her work has also involved training youth leaders, women's groups, and media activists, creating a ripple effect that allows digital safety messages to reach even more communities through local networks.
Giving a Voice to Underrepresented Digital Challenges
One of Puvasthina's most significant contributions has been documenting the online experiences of women athletes in Jaffna District.
As part of the BRIDGE Programme, she produced a documentary titled "Online Issues Faced by Sports Women in Jaffna District," highlighting the digital harassment, online abuse, and image-based violence experienced by female athletes. The documentary brings attention to a largely overlooked issue while encouraging greater dialogue on protecting women in digital spaces.
By using mobile journalism as an advocacy tool, she has demonstrated how storytelling can influence public awareness, encourage policy discussions, and amplify the voices of communities whose experiences often remain invisible.
Creating Pathways to Justice
Beyond awareness raising, Puvasthina has played a direct role in helping victims of cybercrime access legal support.
Working closely with the Sri Lanka Police Cybercrime Division, schools, women's organisations, and community networks, she has assisted victims in understanding reporting procedures and accessing available legal mechanisms.
Within just three months of completing the BRIDGE training, she successfully referred more than 15 cybercrime cases to the Cybercrime Division, with each case receiving appropriate institutional support and resolution. These referrals demonstrate how community awareness, when combined with accessible reporting pathways, can produce tangible outcomes for people affected by online harm.
"Before this training I knew how to use social media, but I didn't know the dangers or the rights. Now I can tell women in my community exactly what to do when something goes wrong online—and I can show them that it worked, because more than 15 cases have already been resolved through the Cybercrime Division."
— Ms. M. Puvasthina
Building a Safer Digital Future
Puvasthina's journey illustrates the growing importance of digital literacy as a fundamental component of community resilience and human rights. By combining journalism, advocacy, and community education, she is helping ensure that digital spaces become safer, more inclusive, and more accessible for everyone.
Her work demonstrates that protecting communities from cybercrime is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement or technology providers. It also depends on informed local leaders who can educate communities, build trust, and connect vulnerable individuals with the support they need.
Through the BRIDGE Programme, Chrysalis continues to empower changemakers like Puvasthina, whose leadership is strengthening digital safety, promoting responsible technology use, and ensuring that communities are equipped to navigate an increasingly connected world with confidence.
