Meet our team
The Digital Defense Blueprint (DDB) is powered by a youth-led, multidisciplinary team of researchers, creatives, advocates, and community organizers working at the intersection of technology and human rights. Our team combines grassroots experience with continental digital rights engagement, ensuring that research, art, and advocacy remain grounded in lived realities while influencing policy and public dialogue.
Ilana Gasa: Founder
Digital rights researcher and creative advocate advancing youth- and women-centered approaches to freedom of expression, digital safety, and ethical technology governance in Southern Africa. Leading a participatory research, data analysis, and policy translation under the Surveillance and the Self study supported by Policy Lab Africa.
Cecil P. Nyawasha : Program Associate
Social Work professional and Mental Health Recovery Coach advancing youth-centered digital resilience, community advocacy, and social protection initiatives in Zimbabwe. His work bridges grassroots mobilization, digital campaigning, and program implementation, with experience spanning mental health recovery, disinformation resilience, trafficking prevention, and youth economic empowerment, grounded in participatory practice and ethical research.
Pamela V. Moyo : Spoken Word Artist & Creative Storyteller
Creative Storyteller using voice, performance, and spoken word to translate digital realities into human experience. An IT student and emerging data practitioner exploring the intersections of technology, voice, and impact. With a growing focus on data science and artificial intelligence, she pairs technical curiosity with powerful storytelling translating complex ideas into compelling narratives. As part of DDB’s creative team, she uses spoken word to amplify youth and women’s voices, champion responsible technology.
Mirriam Gracious Ganda : Community Development Practitioner
A Community Development Practitioner and Digital Rights Advocate from Zimbabwe, who is committed to driving transformative social and economic change in underserved communities.Her work is rooted in advancing the Sustainable Development goals such as gender equality, quality education ,climate action,health and well-being as well as youth empowerment.Her involvement and growing passion for digital rights stems from her belief that access to information, online safety and digital inclusion are essential to sustainable development and community empowerment in today's digital age.Miriam continues to champion the intersection between development and technology, ensuring marginalised voices are heard both offline and online.
Champion Digital Rights Today
Join us in advancing freedom of expression and digital safety. Empower your voice with the Digital Defense BluePrint Initiative's groundbreaking work in Southern Africa.