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Gender Assessments and Research

EROTICS: Sex, rights and the internet - an exploratory research study

By Jac sm Kee et al Global

How is the interneti a key public sphere for the struggle for sexual citizenship and the exercise of sexual rightsi? What is its value to a diversity of users, especially those most marginalised or discriminated against because of their sexual, gender ior other forms of social identity? Why do arguments for the regulationi of the internet anchor on the moral imperative to regulate sexuality? Who are the key actors influencing processes of decision making, and what are the ways in which the potentially liberatory impact of the internet is being constricted and narrowed? The 3 year EROTICSi research project delves into the complex world of sexuality and internet regulation, and uncovers interesting insights to these questions from Brazil, India, Lebanon, South Africa and the US. The full research findings and a synthesis chapter is presented in this report.

Internet Governance Issues on Sexuality and Women's Rights

By APC WNSP, Alternative Law Forum, APC EROTICS Project

The Internet Governance Forum i(IGF) has been a challenging space for both women's rightsi advocates and for broader constituencies engaged in advocacyi for gender equalityi and sexuality related rights. In the fifth and final year of its mandate, women's rightsi 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 of rights. In preparation for this year's IGF, this briefing document highlights key issues on interneti regulationi that are relevant for gender iequality and sexuality. It also brings to the debate findings from various research initiatives undertaken by APC and key partners, including a cross-country research initiative - EROTICS - that is being conducted in five countries: Brazil, India, Lebanon, South Africa and the United Stateis.

Instituto Patricia Galvão

Brazil, Latin America

Founded in 2001 the Patricia Galvao Institute is a Brazilian social organisation that works in the area of communication and women's rightsi. Recognising the power of media to influence social and political change, the institute`s mission is to influence public debate on and improve media coverage of critical issues affecting women in Brazil through multimedia content production and media campaign development. In May 2007, the Instituto Patrícia Galvão organised a media campaign that encouraged balanced coverage of Pope Benedict XVI’s trip to Brazil, including provision of truthful information concerning sexual and reproductive rights. The Institute is also an active member of Women & Media, the Brazilian network of feminist organisations and women that works to enforce social control of women's image in media. The network engages in ICT policyi advocacyi and fights for the democratisation of ICTs.

Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID)

The Association for Women's Rightsi in Development (AWID) is a dynamic network of people and organization around the world with a join goal to cause policyi, institutional and individual change that will improve the lives of women and girls everywhere. The Strategic communications program is one of three main programmatic areas of AWID. This program aims to harness the expertise of AWID's membership and highlight their on-the-ground knowledge, experiences and views. AWID also runs a thematic program, which is dedicated to new technologies and their impacts on women's rightsi.

Global Alliance for ICT & Development

The Global Alliance for ICTi & Developement (GAID) is a 2006, United Nations Secretary General approved initiative. The creation of GAID resulted from consensus reached during previous summits about the importance of information and communication technologies (ICT) in achieving the Millenium Development Goals. The Global Alliance functions as a partnership and network supported by the United Nations, under the authority of the Secretary-General and the auspices of the Economic and Social Council i(ECOSOC).

Centre for Independent Journalism

Asia-Pacific, Malaysia, Southeast Asia

The Centre for Independent Journalism, Malaysia (CIJ) is a non-profit media organisation established in 2001. CIJ works towards a democratic and responsible media by empowering communities to claim and protect their information and communication rights.

Agenda Feminist Media Project

Africa

The Agenda Feminist Media Project was founded in 1987. It began as a journal, the initiative of a small group of women activists and academics working in and around Durban. The project has developed over the years to include four programmes - journal, radio programme, writing programme and internships - and a website.

International Women's Tribune Centre

The International Women's Tribune Centre (IWTC) is an international non-governmental organization established in l976 following the United Nations International Women's Year World Conference in Mexico City. IWTC provides communication, information, education, and organizing support services to women's organizations and community groups working to improve the lives of women, particularly low-income women, in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and Western Asia.

OneWorld South Asia

Asia-Pacific, South & Central Asia

The OneWorld network spans five continents and produces content in 11 different languages, published across its international site, regional editions, and thematic channels on human rightsi and sustainable development. OneWorld South Asia produces content from the South to widen the participation of the world's poorest and most marginalised peoples in the global debate.

BC Rural Women's Network

Europe

The BC Rural Women's Network is both a website and communication network to share information with rural women about ongoing advocacyi for change based on rural women's recommendations for change.

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