GenderIT.org Overview

GenderIT.org: Changing the way you see ICT

For those of you who are new to ICT policy, or new to the intersections of gender and ICT policy, we've created this section for you. We want you to see ICTs as much more than marvelous tools for networking or campaigning. The internet presents opportunities for dialogue, debate, participation and action that do not exist elsewhere. Gender and ICT advocates need to defend and promote the internet as an accessible and secure global communications medium for all of civil society. We must be part of the process that governs the way that information will be disseminated in the future - to encourage the free flow of communication between all nations and peoples.

Contrary to popular belief, the internet is not naturally 'free and open'. It was deliberately made that way by technicians who encouraged and valued collaboration, sharing and openness. Today, as governments and businesses become more and more interested in 'controlling' the internet, we need to defend the internet as a secure and accessible space for social justice, campaigning and for promoting development.

But understanding ICT policy is not an easy task. Both policy and technology have long been seen as the terrain of experts, and for many of us it's easier to leave them in "expert hands" and focus on other priority work of our organisations, such as the defense of women's rights. One of the principal objectives of the Gender and ICT Policy Monitor is to help make the connections between women's rights, gender and ICTs.

What can you find in GenderIT.org?

• Articles, gender assessments, case studies, policy papers and other resources on ICT policy and women’s issues, such as violence against women, women’s health, and economic empowerment
• The Beginners’ Section features collected introductory material for those who are new to gender and ICT policy
• The Policy Makers’ Section contains guides and other information which provide a basis for drafting gender-sensitive ICT policy frameworks

	offers a review of key actors who are involved to some extent in gender and ICT policy
	calendar of workshops, conference, meeting and other happenings engaging with the gender and ICT policy
	an open space for discussion and information exchange of people interested in feminist aspects of ICT policy
	glossary to understand unfamiliar ICT or gender terms

GenderIT.org Features

You'll find the site is organised around issues, issues of concern to women worldwide, as well as to policy makers keen to develop gender-sensitive ICT policy geared towards social change. Each issue offers an introduction to the theme, orienting visitors to basic aspects of gender and ICT relevant to the selected issue. Currently the site features the following issues, and we'll be adding more and deepening aspects of each one as our information clearing house grows:

The "General Reference" option refers to general or overaching gender and ICT issues.

In addition to an overview of each area of concern, you can choose to view Articles or Resources. Articles are documents directly stored in the GenderIT.org site. Resources link to a variety of different gender and ICT policy resources available on-line:

»Case Studies
»Gender Assessment and Research
»How to Guides
»Mailing lists and discussion forums
»Policy Papers
»Reports
»Statements
»Statistical Publications and Reports

You can filter your preferred issues by article or type of resource, or by region. We've specifically focussed on Africa, Asia, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe, but you can search for all regions or by country. The GenderIT.org Site Map is a very useful way to take advantage of the site's filtering and searching features.

Source: "Some good reasons why civil society should lobby and protect our right to use the internet", The Association for Progressive Communications