APC Women's Networking Support Programme
The Association for Progressive Communicationsi Women’s Networkingi Support Programme (APC WNSP) supports women networking for social change and women’s empowermenti through the use of ICTiS. The APC WNSP network comprises over 150 women from 38 countries who support women networking for social change and gender ijustice, through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). The APC WNSP is also a programme of the Association for Progressive Communications (APC).
The goal of the APC WNSP is to promote gender equalityi and women's empowermenti through gender and ICT advocacyi at all levels and the strategic usei of applications and tools by women's movements to strengthen their networking. The goals are achieved through 5 work areas: policyi advocacy, evaluationi, research, training, information facilitation and building women’s networks. Strong regional networks act in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe and Latin America where over three-quarters of our membership is based.
The members of the APC WNSP are specialists in content development and management, policy formation, lobbyiing and advocacy, training, information exchange facilitation, participatory research, evaluation and monitoring, software development, technical work and policy issues. Many work on a voluntary basis and are mostly experienced network users rather than formally-trained ICT experts. They come from different backgrounds and are activists on issues such as housing, environmental protection and women's health; librarians, journalists, web developers, trainers, technicians, and user support providers. Some work for Interneti Service/Content Service Providers (ISP/CSP) that are members of the Association For Progressive Communications, some are independent activists and some are members of women's organisations.
Since 1993, the APC WNSP has played a leading role in gender and ICT advocacy in national, regional and international arenas. The ICT policyi work began during the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. Since then, the 'gender and ICT' agenda has steadily gained legitimacy as a serious area of concern through painstaking work by women's groups and gender and ICT advocates.
