Internet Governance Forum (IGF)

The summary of the 'Sexual rightsⁱ, openness and regulatory systems' workshop co-organized by APC WNSP, Centre for Internetⁱ and Society and Alternative Law Forum at the Internet Governanceⁱ Forum(IGF) in Vilnius, Lithuania on September 14 2010. T.Q. from the Lebanon EroTICsⁱ team speaks about the history of the local queerⁱ movement which correlates with the development of the internet in Lebanon. Clarissa Smith, a UK-based researcher representing the Onscenity network, examines sexuality, porn and the internet from the users point of view. Joy Liddicoat, a New Zealand Human Rightsⁱ commissioner, shares her experiences and views on developing regulatory systems that recognize and realize the rights of sexual and gender ⁱminorities.

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.