GenderIT.org feminist talk

This article maps the legal mechanisms to deal with online and technology-facilitated gender-based violence in the Philippines. While a number of laws have evolved to deal with forms of online abuse and violence, such as cyberbullying of students, there are still gaps in relation to what women are facing online. 

The clampdown on gays and non-heteronormative people in Tanzania has been in the news and while it seems like it is the agenda of certain groups and people in the government, it is essential to examine what are the privacy, data and censorship implications of targeting LGBTQIA+ people online.

Online abuse and harassment prevents women from realising their full rights online. In this article we look at specific instances of harassment of women online in Ghana, and what needs to be done to ensure full and meaningful internet access for women.

Women in Ghana, ordinary women and celebrities, have dealt with harassment and violence online, but there is minimal effort by the government currently to effectively address this problem. The suggestion seems to be that self-censorship should solve such problems faced by women.

In the first of a three-part comic series, Sister Anita schools a man about the basics of feminism!

The annual Forum on Internet Freedom, Africa brings together people from across the African continent to to deliberate on gaps, concerns and opportunities for advancing privacy, access to information, free expression, non-discrimination and the free flow of information online on the continent. But what about gender perspectives? 

What is self-care in a time of hyper-connected people and devices and of image-saturated capitalism and what does it mean to speak about self-care in relation to feminist politics and the women's movement. Sharanya examines the politics of self-care arising from many discussions with activists, writers and campaigners.

Non consensual circulation or sharing of intimate intimages or non consensual pornography is becoming increasingly prevalent. Here Bonface Witaba shares few studies on this viral social phenomenon, what steps have been taken and are likely to be taken in the context of Kenya, on a global scale and by social media companies to address the problem.

How to start a sex-positive conversation around queerness, sensuality and sexuality, gender expression, and even violence? HOLAAfrica is one platform that shows us how to do it. From pleasure manuals to podcasts to articles, the platform raises and discusses several sensitive issues and concerns relevant to African women, gender non-conforming persons and sexual minorities.

In the wake of recent accusations of rampant sexual harassment at the workplace in various industries in India - including journalism, advertising, academia, development and many others - Sanitary Panels explores what patriarchy has huge tolerance for. [comic]

In this column series we unpack keywords relevant to the internet and the digital age. Here we look at algorithms, their origin in the work of Ada Lovelace. At how they are a series of steps in a process, how they enfold consequences. And lastly we ask - can we talk about feminist algorithms?

Equity in digital access in Africa is far from being a reality. There is also paucity of women in technology related careers and more broadly in STEM. In this column, Nodumo Dhlamini will explore the necessity for mentoring of women to make them confident users and implementers of ICT tools and solutions.

Is technology neutral or is coding political? In this article Smarika Kumar explores how algorithms work in the real world, and how they are a reflection of existing biases and forms of exclusion and discrimination in society.

In Tanzania, even as access to internet has brought changes to the lives of people, there is still a lot to be done to get everyone connected and at the same time ensuring good policies to lay the ground for a safer internet. Rebecca explores legal options to the non consensual sharing of intimate images of women in the country. The big question is – how can we make online spaces safer and accessible to women? And what is the image that the internet portrays of women?

The rise of dating apps allows women to take control of their social life and their choices. In this article Hija Kamran speaks to many women in Pakistan about their experience of online dating, both good and bad, whether it allows for challenging of conservative social norms or it leaves women vulnerable to abuse and other risks.

In this fourth column on gender and community networks, Nic Bidwell looks closely at the processes and difficulties of research on the social and gender impact of Community Networks in rural places, and focuses on some issues encountered in the nitty-gritty of such research.

In this fourth column on gender and community networks, Nic Bidwell looks closely at the processes and difficulties of research on the social and gender impact of Community Networks in rural places, and focuses on some issues encountered in the nitty-gritty of such research.

Image source: author. Near a community network installed in refugee camp, northern Uganda

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Here are tips and insights on how to use social media for activism and movement-building, on how to use internet and social media to amplify your cause. In this video Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah touches on several instances of how social media can and has been used by African feminists, and especially describing popular campaigns and hashtags on Twitter