In depth

Internet Governance Issues on Sexuality and Women's Rights

Posted Thu 9 Sep 2010 - 19:11 | 18,858 views
The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has been a challenging space for both women's rights advocates and for broader constituencies engaged in advocacy for gender equality and sexuality related rights. In the fifth and final year of its mandate, women's rights are still being dwarfed as a critical issue to be debated in this arena, while sexuality issues, although present, are not seen as a matter…

Editorial

Internet Governance, Sexuality and Women's Rights

Posted Thu 9 Sep 2010 - 09:17 | 7,821 views
In preparation for this year's IGF, we invite you to highlight some of the key issues on this subject concerning internet governance, sexuality and women's rights. How can we make sure that the internet remains a space which is valuable for asserting and expanding our sexual rights? Does privacy and anonymity matter to you? Do you feel safe and comfortable when searching for information…

Publication

Statement of the Gender DC for the Taking Stock and Looking Forward Session 2009

Posted Tue 7 Sep 2010 - 08:25 | 4,653 views
The statement of the IGF Dynamic Coalition on Gender submitted at the fourth Internet Governance Forum in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on December 2009.

In depth

South Africa: Pornography and the internet - justifiable protection or entrenching patriarchy?

Posted Wed 28 Jul 2010 - 15:52 | 23,747 views
A draft Bill proposing a ban on sexual content on the internet and cellphones submitted to the South African Department of Home Affairs in May 2010 claims to have the best interests of women and children in mind. The Bill was submitted to the Department, which oversees the Film and Publications Board, by a non-profit organisation called Justice Alliance of South Africa (JASA).

In depth

Finding a difficult balance: Human rights, law enforcement and cyber violence against women

Posted Wed 2 Jun 2010 - 00:20 | 12,229 views
GenderIT writer Mavic Cabrera-Balleza probed on new analytical frameworks of violence against women taking into account cyber violence and the challenges and dilemmas women activists confront as they struggle to address this relatively new dimension of gender injustice. She spoke with two women activists who are at the forefront of advocacy on violence against women at the national and…

In depth

Unequal protection, cyber crime and the internet in India

Posted Wed 2 Jun 2010 - 00:20 | 16,422 views
In assessing cyber crime legislation, policy makers and gender and development advocates must carefully consider the implications for privacy and information security. On the one hand, ICT have created opportunities to combat inequality through movements and communities against issues that were once deemed 'private', such as domestic violence and sex trafficking. On the other hand, ICT…

In depth

Dealing with fraud and internet "love": women and cybercrime in Burkina Faso

Posted Wed 2 Jun 2010 - 00:20 | 11,695 views
Fraud, data piracy, seeking partners on the internet: women in Burkina Faso are as much victims as perpetrators. From Ouagadougou to Banfora via Bobo-Dioulasso, and from Ouahigouya to Dori, all towns with an internet connection are affected by this phenomenon. However, the fight against this crime is in the tentative stages, if not altogether non-existent. Legislation is still under development.

In depth

Cybercrime laws are not enough, there is also a need for education

Posted Wed 2 Jun 2010 - 00:20 | 9,482 views
The different forms of online violence against women should be covered by criminal legislation to provide adequate protection and redress. However, laws are not enough. There is also a need for education, prevention, the development of defence mechanisms and a legal system that is capable of addressing these issues without subjecting the victims to further victimisation. Carlos Gregorio, a…

In depth

The internet is for porn? kaBLOG on harmful content - 1 November 2007

Posted Wed 2 Jun 2010 - 00:20 | 4,633 views

Are you troubled by pornographic materials on the internet? Do you consider it damaging? Or is it a valid expression of fantasy orof diverse forms of sexualities? Have you been harmed by sexually explicit and/or violent content through information and communications technologies? How have you dealt with this in your own use of the internet, mobilephone etc.?

In depth

Feminist theory, practices and actions can lead to innovative solutions on internet governance

Posted Wed 2 Jun 2010 - 00:20 | 7,034 views
Civil society entities, academic figures and government officials met in Sao Paulo during the first few days of July to participate in the first seminar of the preparatory process for the meeting of the Internet Governance Forum, with the aim of developing proposals to take to that forum next November. Amongst the presentations, the talk “Internet governance and issues of gender” by gender and…