Message-ID: <2.2.16.19970608234731.127f1912@pop.web.net> Date: Sun, 8 Jun 1997 23:49:11 -0400 From: Maureen James <mailto:maureen@WEB.NET> Subject: SUMMARY: gk97-gender 05/16-06/03 To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
GK97-GENDER Summary 05.16.97 - 06.03.97Here's a quick overview of discussion, suggestions, reports and action items in the GK97-Gender discussion for the last couple of weeks... far from comprehensive, but shares the highlights!
*** Your Input Needed: "Building on Women’s Knowledge for Development" This is a draft declaration to be presented at GK97 outlining women's demands for support in the access and use of information technologies. Please post your suggestions in gk97-gender or to mailto:shuyer@ifias.ca
*** Discussion Highlights
Two Focus Topics have been presented and discussed: - Why Should Women Want to Use Computer Networks? - Building Women's Communication Bridges
These topics have elicited contributions, particularly from women in the South, about the very real constraints that women face in using computer networks. Women in the North have been asking how best to help. The group has been learning together about the different contexts in which women find themselves in relation to information and communication technologies, and have been engaging in inspiring discussions of how best to improve women's access everywhere. Many women are remarking on the open, sharing and cooperative nature of the exchange.
RE: Why Should Women Want to Use Computer Networks? Responses have ranged from "why indeed?" to "we're already doing a great job of finding useful, practical things to do." One problem is that the word isn't getting out: lots of women *are* using networks, but the mainstream media isn't reporting this. It's been suggested that it's not necessary for women to want to use computer networks, but that it's one more area women need to be included in.
Many women have suggested WHY women aren't using computer networks: - access (defined in terms of literacy, equipment, safety, right to information) is a huge barrier: it's up to those of us who have access, to share information and knowledge with those who don't - men dominate information spheres, which means women feel like they need to don battle gear and battle mindset before participating online
And, we've looked at HOW to get women using networks: - if the quality of information exchanged was real, then maybe more people would bother to communicate... if you felt that people were listening, then maybe there would after all be an information flow from the South to North - global emphasis should be on reducing the worldwide disparities in women's access and participation rather than keeping up with the pace of technology - need to be able to demonstrate clear, practical benefit for many women to see the use - need to get women more involved in the development of information technology, so that tools will meet women's needs - better information and retrieval tools, which would help women make time to use computer networks in their already overburdened schedules, usually require buying and installing more software - using other communication tools, like video, as a way of reaching non-literate people, and having them tell their stories so they can be shared on the Internet - encourage the Internet masses to become well informed, especially by informing each other and bypassing the traditional news outlets - many women still rely on the men in their life for computer support, repair and maintenance: we need to increase technical training for women - need programs that sponsor women learning to access the internet from libraries, public schools after hours, and colleges and universities - concerted efforts must be made to apply emerging technologies to developing infrastructure where such infrastructure lags; the example of an R&D project that offers great potential for solar power generation in remote areas at very low costs was given - could gather statistics on the success of women who have education and access to IT compared to those who do not, which would help us to lobby governments to sponsor programs at the elementary school and other school levels that encourage girls to explore computers and what they can do -- especially programming - develop community outreach programs for women in certain income and employment sectors to learn new IT skills. - offer classes to stay-at-home-moms and their children so they can learn together - educate men in technology about their attitudes towards women in technology - just do it: we have the tools at our fingertips, just need to round up some volunteers
Personal Experiences It is here that we seem to learn the most about the important changes we need to work towards globally to improve women's access to information and communication technologies. For example: - a women's rights activist and legal advocate in India uses the Internet to search for information on reproductive rights, and human rights issues in her work for women's empowerment - a women's organization in Sri Lanka getting connected once in 3 ½ weeks of trying - the year-long Right to Information protest in Jaipur, India - the establishment of the Wellington County FreeSpace (in Ontario, Canada) succeeded largely due to the committed volunteer efforts of many women in the community: "the real world sensibilities, and the awareness of community strengths and issues that women brought to FreeSpace ensured that the network became a sustainable community development tool, and not a techie hardware fantasy that would have collapsed under the weight of equipment without a purpose" - a woman in Chad is sharing the conversations on gk97.gender with a local group of women, and will be telling their stories in return
New Discussions... starting June 6th - Addressing the Silence: Privacy and Security Concerns for Women on the Internet - Gender-Sensitive Training
*** Reference Documents Assessing Access for Women This paper outlines women's Internet access issues from a Canadian perspective. Feedback is welcome either in the discussion, or directly to: mailto:vsister@igc.apc.org
Global Networking For Change: APC Women's Networking Survey Findings (May 1997) The summary of survey findings is available in English, Spanish and French at: http://community.web.net/apcwomen
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For more information, see the introductory documents, summaries and reference materials for this discussion in English, Spanish and French at: http://community.web.net/gk97/resource.htm
If you are without WWW access, you can access these documents by sending a message with no subject to: mailto:getweb@ecn.apc.org with the following text: get http://community.web.net/gk97/resource.htm
Archives of the discussion are at: http://www.igc.apc.org/gk97/gk97.gender
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