In depth

Building the Capacity of WHRD: the experience of Front Line Defenders

Posted Wed 24 Oct 2012 - 16:06 | 8,427 views
In a context where the debate around digital security tends to be focused on national security and counter-terrorism measures, civil society faces the important challenge of claiming a space for women human rights defenders (WHRD). Margarita Salas of Genderit.org spoke with Wojtek Bogusz and Tara Madden of Front Line Defenders to discuss some of the key challenges they have identified in their…

In depth

Azerbaijan: When online security is synonymous with personal safety

Posted Tue 23 Oct 2012 - 08:17 | 10,183 views
The Seventh Internet Governance Forum will be taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan from 6 to 9 November 2012. GenderIT.org writer Zooey Schock spoke with veteran activist Dr Leyla Yunus about internet freedom and the ability to organise in post-Soviet Asia.

Publication

Statement: International Coalition Condemns Human Rights Violations Against W.O.N.E.T.H.A

Posted Wed 1 Aug 2012 - 16:17 | 5,002 views
The Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRD IC) has expressed deep concern regarding the safety of five staff from the Uganda sex worker organization, Women’s Organization Network for Human Rights Advocacy (WONETHA). On May 7, police authorities raided WONETHA's small office and arrested two staff and three members. The staff members face ongoing harassment and criminal…

Publication

The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association and the internet: Submission to the UN HRC by APC

Posted Thu 23 Feb 2012 - 11:16 | 4,774 views
In this submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly, Association for Progressive Communication (APC) acknowledges the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association to be together with the right to freedom of expression at the core of a democratic and open society and makes recommendations for how these rights can be promoted and…

In depth

Take Back the Tech! But know the risks first

Posted Tue 13 Dec 2011 - 01:02 | 14,585 views
Like any tool, ICTs can be tremendously useful, but dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. This is doubly true for activists and women's rights defenders. Jennifer Radloff and Erika Smith speak to participants from one of our secure online communications for women human rights defenders workshops who share their own experiences with ICTs and what they've learned from the training.

Feminist talk

Help us to "make the connection" between human rights and internet rights

Posted Mon 12 Dec 2011 - 00:03 | 8,681 views
When did you first realise how your freedom of expression or association could be violated online? When did you first "make the connection" between human rights and internet rights as a women human rights defender? The "Connect Your Rights campaign" campaign and GenderIT.org is calling for submissions of blogs, poems, digital stories, artwork and other visuals to help others make the connection.

Publication

Commentary to the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders

Posted Tue 13 Sep 2011 - 17:30 | 8,535 views
The Commentary to the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders maps the rights protected in the Declaration and explains in what parts of the document are they protected, unpacks what each right entails and which are the common restrictions and violations of those rights, and lastly highlights good practices and recommendations regarding those rights. It pays particular attention to the specifics of…

Publication

UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders

Posted Tue 13 Sep 2011 - 16:05 | 8,510 views
This Declaration recognises the legitimacy of human rights work and the need for these activities and those who carry them out to be protected. It articulates existing rights contained in the major human rights instruments, such as the right to freedom of expression, association and assembly, as they apply to the situation of human rights defenders. It also outlines that not only States, but also…

In depth

Connectedness or alienation?

Posted Tue 13 Sep 2011 - 12:25 | 9,858 views
Women's human rights activist Edna Aquino remarks on how ICTs have impacted her work, presenting both new opportunities and new risks. In her interview with new GenderIT.org writer, Maya Ganesh, Edna argues that activists using ICTs must be mindful of alienating women with the use of excessive jargon, and must always be keenly aware that there are inherent risks in online communications. However…

In depth

ICT skills gap = online security risks

Posted Tue 13 Sep 2011 - 11:46 | 9,927 views
GenderIT.org contributor Mavic Cabrera-Balleza interviews Mary Jane Real, outgoing coordinator of the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition about the use of internet and information and communication technologies by women human rights defenders, the opportunities they present as well as the digital security risks women human rights defenders confront. Real goes on to share her…