MDG3

Violence Against Women and ICTs

MDG3 fundMobiles equipped with cameras are being used to peep up girl’s skirts as they climb on board buses. The same “emergency alert” button to send a distress signal from a cell phone is also connected to a global positioning system signal that allows women’s movements to be closely monitored by their spouses. Hundreds of Indian women denounce street sexual harassment in the Blank Noise Project Blogathon, many snapping shots of “Eve-teasing” aggressors.

Using cell phones to address violence against women and girls

Women’sNet in partnership with Cell-Life will be hosting a workshop on 13 and 14 October to explore the potential use of cell phones to address violence against women and girls. This workshop is one of the activities of the APC WNSP project on strengthening women’s use of ICTs to combat VAW. VAW activists, communication rights workers, policy makers and regulators are some of the participants who will attend.

Legal and Policy Framework in Uganda

wougnet

The Uganda constitution provides for equality between women and men and for affirmative action. The entire chapter four of the constitution is devoted to protection of fundamental and other human rights and freedoms. There are specific provisions that relate to gender. The national objective and directive principles of State Policy number XV states that: “the state shall recognize the significant role that women play in society.”

Article 21 (2) states that: “a person shall not be discriminated against on the ground of sex…”

South Africa and online pornography: Bill sets off alarm bells in women's movement

The Bill was drafted by Justice Alliance of South Africa (JASA), an anti-gay, anti-choice organisation. The countries mentioned by JASA as having enacted similar legislation to the proposal Bill – Yemen and the United Arab Emirates – both censor LGBT as well as political content that they deem undesirable.

Taking into consideration the social context within which laws operate in South Africa, where violence against lesbian women and transgender people is common, “a law focusing on sexual content is likely to see content that focuses on lesbian sexuality or even women’s sexuality as deviant and undesirable” says Shackleton.

“The Law Reform Commission in South Africa, tasked with investigating internet pornography should consider freeing up funds from the Universal Access Fund to promote positive content by women and for women,” says Shackleton. “That way we tip the balance of content in favour of more positive representations of women and more diversity.”

“The Law Reform Commission’s investigation at the very least must be framed by considering that children and women are not the same entity. Children are a separate category of people that require very different legislative approaches than those addressing women,” Shackleton concludes.

"Telling stories has this amazing power..."

Photo of FTX Pakistan participants courtesy of Jehan Ara

As part of APC WNSP´s MDG3 project Take Back the Tech! to eliminate violence against women taking place in 12 countries, a Feminist Tech Exchange on digital storytelling took place in Pakistan the second week of June with APC member Bytes for All and local partner Jehan Ara, passionate Take Back the Tech activist and president of P@SHA, the Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT and ITES.

The Feminst Tech eXchange - more than just a meet up

FTX participant uses a digital camera, photo courtesy of apc.org blog

Ever offer a training but wonder if there is really any impact or take-up in participants as the memories of the exchange fade? An APC blogger shares how Women’sNet’s After Action Review of the Feminist Tech eXchange held in Joburg last year has had a lasting effect on participants, who reported making new connections between ICTs and gender as well as linkages to violence against women.

Mulheres brasileiras avançam no processo de domínio tecnológico

Brasil ITF

“Liberação do medo e da má vontade em relação às TIC – tecnologias da informação e comunicação”, “uma oportunidade ímpar de se empoderar buscando superar as limitações tecnológicas”, “convicção de que a ampliação dos horizontes com relação ao uso da internet não é um bicho de sete cabeças”, “a certeza de que a internet vai possibilitar um melhor atendimento às redes de proteção à mulher em situação de violência”, “a constatação de que as novas tecnologias são fundamentais para trabalhar a questão da violência doméstica”, “a ansiedade

Feminist Tech Exchange Pakistan - Digital Storytelling Train the Trainers

7 Jun 2010 - 11 Jun 2010 || Isalamabad, Pakistan

From June 7 – 11, South Asian APC member Bytes for All will unite fellow APC members and women activists alike for a joint event, funded by the APC’s Member Exchange Fund. Representatives from several APC organisations will meet in Islamabad to attend a workshop on digital storytelling and learn how to Take Back the Tech! to end violence against women. This Feminist Tech Exchange will unite 12 – 15 activist women so they can be trained to further train others in the Asian region.

Se incrementa violencia contra las mujeres a través de las TIC

Especialistas en tecnologías de la información y comunicación (TIC) alertaron del uso de éstas para violentar a las mujeres; mientras las redes sociales son utilizadas por hombres para acosar y violentar a mujeres y niñas; en otras se compra y vende abiertamente sexo con niñas menores de 12 años, sin que exista una legislación que sancione estos delitos.

Digital storytelling to fight violence against women - Pakistan

From June 7 – 11, South Asian APC member Bytes for All will unite fellow APC members and women activists alike for a joint event, funded by the APC’s Member Exchange Fund. Representatives from several APC organisations will meet in Islamabad to attend a workshop on digital storytelling and learn how to Take Back the Tech! to end violence against women. This Feminist Tech Exchange will unite 12 – 15 activist women so they can be trained to further train others in the Asian region.

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