LocationsBreaking the cycle: Community-led action against hate speech
June 18, 2026
Hate speech threatens democratic governance by deepening divisions and distorting elections. But practical, locally-led solutions can help communities build trust and create safer digital spaces.
Hate speech is no longer confined to the margins of public life. The rise of digital platforms, AI and social media has accelerated the spread of hate speech, misinformation and disinformation, while anonymity and social media algorithms create digital echo chambers that reinforce polarizing views. The UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues found that around 70 percent of people targeted by online hate belong to minority groups, while a 2026 UN Women report found that 45 percent of women journalists and media workers self-censor on social media to avoid abuse. Beyond the psychological harm caused to individuals, hate speech weakens social cohesion, silences voices and discourages participation in public life. UNDP also recognizes hate speech as a major threat to democratic governance by deepening divisions and distorting elections.
On 18 June, the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, we are reminded of the urgent role that practical, locally-led solutions play in helping communities build trust and create safer digital spaces. Guided by the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, UNDP works with change-makers to translate global commitments into local action. Local champions, peacebuilders, journalists and young advocates—their everyday work builds the foundations for more peaceful societies.
Leading a new generation of online peacebuilders in the Philippines
Bai Rohaniza Sumndad Usman is a peace advocate and founder of the Teach Peace Build Peace Movement from the Philippines, who uses education, interfaith dialogue and community engagement to empower young people to be agents of peace. Through the UNDP-led CyberPeace Heroes Fellowship, supported by KAICIID, the European Union and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, young influencers and faith-based leaders gained skills in digital peacebuilding and media literacy, empowering them to lead conversations and community actions that promote empathy and inclusion, online and offline. The partnership also produced a toolkit to enable the replication of these efforts.
“Building a Culture of CyberPeace is the practice of seeing the human being behind the screen. Through this, we contribute to Digital Peacebuilding—transforming our online spaces into communities where compassion guides conversations, understanding bridges differences, and a culture of peace shapes how we respond to conflict.”
— Bai Rohaniza Sumndad‑Usman
Philippines peace advocate Bai Rohaniza Sumndad Usman uses education, interfaith dialogue and community engagement to empower young people to be agents of peace.
Building safer digital spaces through youth action in Montenegro
Inspired by a Peacebuilding Fund-supported and UNDP-led initiative to promote Local Dialogue on Social Cohesion, Emilija Jukić and the NGO Lea in Montenegro launched eTolerancija, a youth-focused initiative tackling cyberbullying, online hate speech and digital violence. The initiative combines workshops, peer discussions and "Living Books" sessions where young people hear from survivors of online abuse. Its innovative eDiary tool provides a safe space and an anonymous way for victims to share their experiences and access support. By equipping young people with practical tools and safe spaces for dialogue, the initiative helps foster a digital culture grounded in empathy, accountability and safety in Montenegro.
“eTolerancija has contributed to creating a safer and more supportive online environment, where dialogue and understanding are promoted instead of hate speech.”
— Emilija Jukić
Emilija Jukić works to counter cyberbullying, online hate speech and digital violence in Montenegro.
Women and youth in media strengthening social cohesion in the Gulf of Guinea
With support from the governments of Denmark and Norway, young media professionals and youth leaders across the Gulf of Guinea are helping to counter hate speech and misinformation. In Côte d’Ivoire, Koffi Akissi Mahoua, a Press Officer and passionate young communicator at Tchologo TV, uses the power of journalism to strengthen social cohesion in her community. Faced with the daily struggle of misinformation, she participated in a UNDP-supported training, which gave her practical fact-checking and conflict-sensitive communication skills. Today, she uses these tools to produce educational content, share verified information, and promote peace and dialogue through her platform.
“I have encountered instances of misinformation that could undermine social cohesion and fuel mistrust… the training allowed me to strengthen my skills and my confidence in the fight against disinformation.”
— Koffi Akissi Mahoua
In Côte d’Ivoire, Press Officer Koffi Akissi Mahoua uses the power of journalism to strengthen social cohesion in her community.
In Togo, Mindyeme Djangbiog, Executive Director of JEDOIS association, took part in a UNDP-led workshop on fake news identification and peace messaging before leading a digital awareness campaign against hate speech that mobilized 5,300 people. The efforts of Koffi and Mindyeme highlight the critical role of youth and local women media actors in building trust, preventing division and fostering resilient communities.
“Peace begins with a perspective that seeks to understand rather than judge.”
— Mindyeme Djangboig
In Togo, Mindyeme Djangbiog leads a digital awareness campaign against hate speech.
Protecting digital spaces through truth and accountability in Pakistan
Zahrah Mazhar, a journalist and one of Pakistan’s leading voices on information integrity, has seen how false narratives harm reputations, deepen divisions and silence vulnerable voices, with women most often affected. Through iVerify Pakistan, a nonpartisan UNDP-supported fact-checking initiative, with funding from UK FCDO and previously USAID, implemented by the Center for Excellence in Journalism at IBA Karachi, Zahra helps drive change. Under her leadership, iVerify grew from an election-focused pilot into one of Pakistan's most credible fact-checking platforms tackling disinformation, hate speech and technology-facilitated gender-based violence. The platform, with a digital footprint of 20 million users, has not only become a key fact-checking resource, but also an important early warning mechanism against narratives capable of fueling hatred and discrimination.
“Countering disinformation is not just about correcting facts; it is about protecting people, preserving dignity, and ensuring that fear and hatred do not become louder than humanity.”
— Zahra Mazhar
Journalist Zahrah Mazhar is a leading voice on information integrity in Pakistan.
The UN's #NoToHate campaign reminds us that the spread of hateful rhetoric can be an early warning of violence, including atrocity crimes.
These stories show that practical community-led action builds safer online and offline spaces. Let’s act together to create a future where every voice is heard, every person is safe and digital spaces are free from hatred.
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