take back the tech!

“Map it. End it. Demand change” was the core of the Take Back the Tech! campaign for 2011. Flavia Fascendini writes about several mapping initiatives around the world that aim to document forms of violence against women so as to “put them on the map” in the sense that they are named, pointed out, shown as related, and denounced - and in that way the mapped territory is changed into one that…

Sonia Randhawa spoke with senior fellow at Privacy International Gus Hosein about how mobile devices and their ability to map our movements are intruding on personal privacy and individual autonomy.

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.

This year we call on campaigners to collectively gather evidence for transformation, strengthen our capacity for safer experiences online and amplify our rights in addressing technology-related violence against women. Take control of technology to end violence against women.

Aisha Lee Shaheed was one of the participants of the two-day workshop “Women’s Rights and Internet Governance” convened by the APC WNSP late September 2011, in Nairobi, Kenya, just prior to the 6th Annual Internet Governance Forum. In her blog post, Aisha recounts how the workshop shifted her perspective on internet governance and why she as a women human rights defender should care about it.

“Strategising Online Activism: A Toolkit” was designed for and by women activists but can be used by everyone. Key chapters include: strategising and planning your online activism; creating your campaign’s identity; social networking and security on the internet. vioThe guide provides practical and accessible step-by-step advice, while keeping a political and feminist eye. It was developed by APC…

Lebo shares with the GenderIT.org readers how Women’s Net and its partners in South Africa advocate for the end of violence against women through a seminar and a Tweet-up. The seminar was part of the MDG3 Fund /APC Women project, Women’sNet is the South Africa partner.

Nighat Dad from the Pakistan MDG3: Take Back the Tech! project documents the story of a girl who sought her advice at the “Take Back The Tech” event, in Peshawar. The girl was 14 years old, and she was sexual abused for the last 6 years.

When Jan first heard that the theme of this year's CSW was going to focus on science and technology she was really excited. She shares her reflection why the framing of science and technology as a women's rights issue at this year's CSW did not really resonate with her in the end.

Jac sm Kee reports back from the funkiest session at the 55th meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women - the 'Take Back the Tech!: Reclaiming Technology for Women's Rights' panel debate.