Feminist reflections on internet policies

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

A proposed new law in the United States of America would not only result in censorship of the internet and specifically message boards, but also will limit the possibilities of sex-workers to use the internet for their work, to build community and safe spaces online.

Can technology-based solutions improve the quality of life for people with disabilities? Srinidhi Raghavan interviews various women who talk about how mobile phone usage has benefitted them in terms of communication and social interaction, but also about their real concerns around privacy.

All feminists have had to ask themselves in several gatherings and meetings - when can I raise the gender question? When can I say the f-word? Sheena Magenya here reflects on her experiences at AFRISIG 2018, and goes deep into the question of how do we navigate, understand and eventually change such spaces.

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? 

Movements and campaigns have been using technology for women's rights, for articulating identity and expression around gender and sexuality, and for amplifying and growing the voices against sexual harassment and violence. We are at a point when the Take back the tech! campaign is more than 10 years old. Our movements are in as much need for creativity as we are in need of self-care. In this edition we explore the emerging and startling voices of new ideas and campaigns - from what feminist bots can do for us to delving deeper into the politics of self-care.

A glitch is a problem or fault that prevents something from being successful or working as well as it should. Seyi Akiwowo describes how online gender-based violence and harassment are the glitches we need to fix, so that the potential of the internet and technology to build and make connections and to solve some of humanity's problems can be fulfilled.

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]

Dalit-Bahujan women in India have increasingly started using the internet and social media to articulate their positions and politics. This article explores how women have combated sexual harassment and exploitation, especially when it takes place in spaces that are considered progressive.

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 sequence of steps, 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.

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 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 internet is viewed as the gateway to development. So, how do we respond to the challenge of the persistent digital divide? Mariana Fossatti says that we have to do this from a standpoint of decolonising our thinking, and only that will open the possibilities of reconsideration of the global governance of the internet, prioritising factors of justice and equity.