International Day of Nonviolence: Remembering Mahatma Gandhi's legacy and its relevance in the digital world

The 2 October is commemorated on International Day of Non-Violencea date which invites us to reflect on the importance of promoting peace and non-violence in a world marked by conflict and tension. This date coincides with the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, an iconic leader of the Indian Independence movement and a pioneer in the philosophy of non-violence. In honour of this day, we at Honoralia would like to highlight the universal relevance of non-violence and its connection to the protection of human rights. rights and freedoms in the digital world.

The struggle for non-violence

The International Day of Non-Violence is celebrated on the anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, a leader who left an indelible mark on human history. Gandhi not only fought for India's independence, but rather did so by peacefully and non-violently. His legacy remains an inspiration to those who seek justice and social change through peaceful means.

Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi is remembered as a leader who transcended barriers of race, religion and nation states. His focus on non-violence and humanism as supreme values made him a leading figure in public life, political thought and government. Gandhi represents the dreams and aspirations of all people in the world.

Life and leadership

Gandhi's ability to lead India to independence without resorting to violence is a testimony to the effectiveness of non-violence as a means of social change. In a context where violence seemed the only option, Gandhi demonstrated that just means lead to just ends. His famous Salt March of 1930, which defied British law through mass civil disobedience, is an outstanding example of his commitment to non-violence.

Non-violence

Non-violence, also known as non-violent resistance, is a principle rejecting the use of physical violence to achieve social or political change. It is often described as "the politics of ordinary people"and has been adopted by numerous social justice movements around the world.

Professor Gene Sharp, a leading theorist of this philosophy, offers the following definition: "Nonviolent action is a technique by which people who reject passivity and submission can carry out their struggle without violence.“. Non-violent action seeks to exercise power effectively, recognising that rulers depend on the consent of the population.

Categories of non-violent action

There are three main categories of non-violent action:

1. Protest and persuasion: It includes marches and commemorations to express discontent and promote change.
2. Non-cooperation: It involves refusing to cooperate with unjust or illegal practices.
3. Non-violent intervention: It includes actions such as blockades and occupations to stop harmful activities.

The focus on non-violence reminds us that there are effective ways to seek social change without resorting to violence.

Online violence

Today, non-violence extends beyond physical acts and finds new manifestations in cyberspace.. Violent or sexual content disseminated without the victim's permission represents a form of digital violence that affects people's integrity and reputation. In this context, it is crucial to remember that we all have the power to stop it.

Complaint to the AEPD

In the event of the unlawful dissemination of harmful content, the Spanish Data Protection Agency offers a priority channel for complaints. It is crucial to be informed and use this tool to combating online violence and protecting privacy and dignity of the persons concerned. If you are under 18, we also urge you to contact us or the AEPD for the necessary support.

Defence of human dignity

The fight against violence online is not just about removing visual content. It may have devastating consequences for those affectedBehind every image are stories of suffering and rights violations. Harassment, bullying and violation of privacy online can leave deep emotional and psychological scars. That is why it is essential to take action to stop the spread of such content and to provide support to those in need. By reporting such content, we are defending human dignity and contributing to building a safer Internet environment.

Building a future

At Honoralia, we advocate for a digital world where non-violence prevails, where every individual can exercise his or her rights in the digital world. Internet without fear of digital violence.

On this International Day of Non-Violence, let us remember the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and reaffirm our commitment to non-violence in all its forms, both in the physical and digital world. We can all contribute to building a more peaceful and respectful world, where the rights and dignity of all people are protected.