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
Swimming in my crocs: IGF Day 1
By Jan Moolman
Trying to find the room where the ITU child protection open forum took place this morning on the first day of the IGF, I was struck by how many people knew each other. Everywhere I turned I saw people greeting each other like long lost friends. “Was Hyderabad the last time I saw you?” “Tunis feels like a lifetime ago doesn’t it?” – snippets of conversation accompanied handshakes and the...
Feminist talk
The end of IGF? Mulling on its point and pointlessness
By Jac sm Kee
Today is the start of the fourth Internet Governance Forum
(IGF). Took yet another shuttle bus into another conference centre that
has heavy security - or at least the show of it - big Alsatian dogs,
burly men in uniforms and guns, mirror-checks under vehicles, bags into
x-ray machines and so on. The next IGF is...
(IGF). Took yet another shuttle bus into another conference centre that
has heavy security - or at least the show of it - big Alsatian dogs,
burly men in uniforms and guns, mirror-checks under vehicles, bags into
x-ray machines and so on. The next IGF is...
Feminist talk
The Tyranny of Binaries: Child Protection, Sexuality and Safety Online.
By ItsAllMaya
Is it just me or does the schedule for the Internet Governance Forum conference in Sharm El Sheikh seem
to pop with the words youth, security, protection, empowerment, child? At least
two sessions every day focus on these themes.
Feminist talk
Twittering the Iranian election
By Jac sm Kee
The most talked-about aspect of the current situation in Iran, is Twitter. In the past weeks Twitter has reportedly provided opportunities for Iranian protesters to send out information during that government's refusal to allow (mostly Western) journalists to report on the aftermath of the (suspect) re-election of Mahmoud Ahmedinejad. So the hottest tweet is possibly, ironically, about Twitter...
Feminist talk
Access to knowledge and gender
By Sonia Randhawa
This edition of GenderIT looks at the question of access to knowledge focussing on Africa. Over the last century, copyright and patents legislation have penetrated into most countries, strengthened by international trade agreements, and often pressure from the United States. This has had the impact of both shrinking the amount of knowledge that is freely available, and of legislating what is and...
Feminist talk
Statement of the IGF Dynamic Coalition on Gender for the Taking Stock and Moving Forward Session
By Gayathry Venkiteswaran
The statement of the IGF Dynamic Coalition on Gender presented at the third Internet Governance Forum in Hyderabad, India,on the 6 of December 2008.
Feminist talk
What does the IGF mean to the poorest woman and her rights?
By Anita Gurumurthy
The transcript of speech of Anita Gurumurthy, executive director of IT for Change and member of IGF Gender Dynamic Coalition, at the closing ceremony of IGF on December 6th. In her contribution to the closing panel, Anita highlighted the words of Mahatma Gandhi - “Before you do anything, stop and recall the face of the poorest most helpless destitute person you have seen and ask yourself, ‘Is...
Feminist talk
Brief appraisal of the third Internet Governance Forum
By Heike Jensen
Now that the dust of the third Internet Governance Forum, held in Hyderabad from 3-6 December 2008, has settled, a brief look back is in order. The host country's efforts amounted to an unqualified success and provided a smooth – even lavish – context. This was especially appreciated under the difficult circumstances in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.
Feminist talk
E-Governance only for "the common man"?
By Anupama Saxena
Oh! I waited for almost three years to get this opportunity. Finally it arrived on 5th December 2008 during IGF, when i got a chance to attend the meeting with the Secretary of Information Technology of Government of India with APC team and other civil society organizations.
