Joan Lakesa
Our Story & Mission
YOUTHFUL (Youth Organizing United for Tech, Human-rights, and Digital Liberation) is a South Sudan-based feminist tech collective. We exist at the intersection of technology, human rights, and gender justice.
Operated as an autonomous, informal collective, our network brings together young women, digital activists, and community organizers working to dismantle Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) and build secure online environments for all.
Vision
A South Sudan where young women and gender-marginalized youth fully exercise their digital rights, organize freely without fear of online violence, and access technology in their own language.
Mission
To defend digital rights, combat Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence, and democratize tech security in South Sudan.
Why We Exist
In South Sudan, the rapid expansion of digital connectivity has created new avenues for expression, but it has also given rise to targeted online harassment, doxxing, and digital surveillance, disproportionately impacting young women and gender-marginalized advocates.
Furthermore, critical digital safety resources are overwhelmingly published in English, creating a massive barrier for local communities. YOUTHFUL was founded to bridge this gap by localizing digital defense tools into Juba Arabic and creating community-first safety networks.
Our Core values
Feminist Digital Autonomy: We believe everyone has the fundamental right to navigate digital spaces safely, privately, and without fear of violence.
Language Justice: Security resources should not be limited by language. Translating digital rights concepts into local dialects is essential to collective defense.
Survivor-Centered Care: We prioritize consent, agency, and psychological safety in all our tech intervention strategies.
Grassroots Solidarity: True digital liberation comes from local community organizing, open-source technology, and shared knowledge.
Connect with us
Connect for safer, more inclusive digital spaces.
info@lubumbabashi.com
(+211) 926282905
Gurei, Mary Queen, Juba