Feminist talk
Feminist talk is meant to be a hub for conversations between our readers and writers on topics that are related to the sometimes dry world of internet policy. It is a space for storytelling, personal essays, opinions – to challenge and inspire readers on issues and topics that are close to them. Here are the opinions, experiences and thoughts of writers from the diverse community in which we live.
Feminist talk
Connecting reflections through a community network's experience in Brazil
By Bruna Zanolli
Community networks in quilombolas from Terra Seca/Ribeirão Grande in Brazil have been helping households to connect to the internet while serving individual needs of residents. In the backdrop of the FIRN research exploring the same, the authors discuss how these community-led networks connect communities with technology.
Feminist talk
Sentient Bots and the Mystique of Personhood
By Priyadarshini John
A Google engineer claimed that an AI bot has become sentient. Is that a possibility? Can a program designed and trained by a human develop the ability to feel human-like feelings? Priyadarshini John explores.
Feminist talk
Lack Of A Data Protection Law Puts Indian Abortion Seekers At Risk
By Jasmine George
India recently withdrew its data protection bill, putting the data of over a billion people at risk. The already vulnerable individuals became more susceptible to data misuse, especially those already under threat of being targeted for personal choices or identities. This article explores how lack of data protection puts abortion seekers at risk in a society that rejects abortions.
Feminist talk
Iranian Women’s Fight For Right To Life And Freedom Faces Surveillance, Internet Shutdowns, Violence And Murders
By Hija Kamran
In Iran, women are protesting to demand bodily autonomy and their right to live, in the wake of the state-backed murder of a 22-year-old Mahsa Amini by the morality police. The government is responding by killing more women, attacking protestors and censoring the internet to contain the information.
Feminist talk
Discussing Ethics of Care, Intersectionality and Power Dynamics in the Feminist Research Work
By Srinidhi Raghavan
When conducting feminist research, it is important to acknowledge various intersectionalities, as well as ethics of care, challenges and all the dynamic interconnections in the process. The FIRN partners explore these themes in their research through the years.
Feminist talk
Too Much Freaky Sex: Online Platforms As Ways To Talk About Sex Positivity
By Tiffany Kagure Mugo
Sex positivity is being rejected by many now given how it is portrayed as something that requires hypersexualised expressions rather than understanding the nuances of what it actually entails. Tiffany Mugo discusses how podcasts are revisiting sex positivity through storytelling.
Feminist talk
Mirror, Mirror on the Phone: How Social Media Beauty Filters Impact South Asian Women
By Areej Akhtar
Young women in South Asia struggle with the society's obsession of fair skin and eurocentric features all their lives, so beauty filters on social media apps have been providing them what many home remedies have failed to offer. But how are these tech solutions impacting their self-esteem? Areej Akhtar discusses.
Feminist talk
For Queer People in Pakistan, Pride Flags On Social Media May Be Doing More Harm Than Good
By Anonymous
As the world celebrates Pride month every June, in Pakistan, this celebration brings hate and violence to the community. The writer explores how seemingly innocuous expression of queerness and support for the community has opened doors of violence on individuals on the intern
Feminist talk
Digital Technologies in the Abortion Rights Movement
By Shruti Arora
In light of the illegal status of safe abortion, abortion seekers turn to the internet to access credible related information. Shruti Arora discusses how women in India and Poland challenge the abortion ban, and how online resources help them seek authentic information for safe abortion.
Feminist talk
The Case of Selective Morality, Sexist Laws and Online Censorship in Pakistan
By Hija Kamran
Internet censorship in the name of morality in Pakistan is rampant, and the trend continues to grow as new laws and regulations are introduced. But just a cursory look at this trend reveals that the censorship is not just vague, but also sexist, targeting women's expression and experiences online.
