Feminist talk

Today was a day of cancellation. The GEM (Gender Evaluation Methodology) Book launch was scheduled to happen at 2:00pm, but in a demonstration of solidarity, APC decided to withdraw and cancel all of its side events scheduled for today...

At the end of the day, Maxigas and I decided to take a walk and survey the images of women, men, elderly people, young people and disabled people at the ICT 4 All Exhibition hall. Afterall, the claim is that ICT is for all right? So who is this ‘All’ we are talking about.

Took a cab to the Kram Palexbo, where the Summit and IT 4 All exhibition was happening[...] When we finally got to the site, we were stopped 5 times at security checks at every turn of the road and I had to flash my registration card and a big smile to calm the security that I was indeed, a legitimate subject to attend this conference, accredited (somehow) and all.

The plane ride was as all plane rides become after awhile, uncomfortable and far too long. Once getting off, there were large posters everywhere advertising WSIS, especially about the IT 4 All exhibition, where the tagline – complete with pictures of multi-gendered and ‘raced’ children smiling at a computer screen – promises to forefront the human dimension of information communications…

The internet has grown and matured and it therefore prudent to believe that it is time for a greater internationalization of the management of the internet. The internet governance oversight functions have been clearly spelt out as the Gender Caucus paticipates in WSIS PrepCom III.

Culture involves both men and women and in this regard the reintroduction of culture diversity in the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) is an issue as it continues to be side lined in the process.

Grassroots issues are spelt out. The grassroots caucus lobbies the gender caucus to recognise their issues as they also have gender issues which are cross-cutting in their action plan.

Tunisia's credibility to host the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) has been questioned following the release of the report of the Tunisia Monitoring Group (TMG) as we move closer to pharse II scheduled to take place in Tunis, 16-18 November 2005.

Imagine for a moment attending a session and suddenly policeman shows up to tighten security for just this meeting. The launch of second report produced by the Tunisia Monitoring Group attracted many delegates in the WSIS PrepCom III .

"Is there such a thing as gender aspects of internet governance (IG) or does it boil down to the technical and political aspects?," asked Christine Butengwa from the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET).