[APCPress] TAKE BACK THE TECH! 16 days of reclaiming technology to end violence against women

[Karen Higgs]

TAKE BACK THE TECH!
16 DAYS OF RECLAIMING TECHNOLOGY TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

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In Uganda, a SMS campaign called Speak out! Stand Out! is organised by 
WOUGNET to collect messages against violence against women

In Quebec, feminists and communication rights activists are creating 
short video clips and comic postcards to protest violence against women

In Malaysia, Burmese refugees are making online audio defending women's 
rights together with Centre for Independent Journalism
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MALAYSIA, Friday November 23 2007 -- From 25 November to 10 December, 
get ready to pull out the mouse, flex your SMS fingers and engage full 
energy in activism to end violence against women (VAW). APC Women's 
Programme (APC WNSP) calls on users of the radio, television, internet, 
emails, mobile phones and all kinds of information and communication 
technologies (ICTs) to "Take Back The Tech!"

What is the campaign about?

Take Back The Tech is a collaborative campaign by ICT users, advocates, 
collectives and organisations that take issue with the prevalence of VAW 
in our diverse realities. Initiated by APC WNSP in 2006, the campaign is 
part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence initiative.

It is our right to shape, define, participate, use & share knowledge, 
information & technology, and to create digital spaces that protects 
everyone's right to interact freely without harassment or threat to 
safety. Take Back The Tech aims for this by calling all user of ICTs - 
especially grrls & women - to take control of technology and consciously 
use it to disrupt unequal power relations.

How can you Take Back The Tech?

* 16 DAILY ACTIONS
Simple daily actions throughout the 16 days that uses ICTs strategically 
to counter VAW. From sending SMS to making digital postcards to snapping 
pictures to playing with radio to remembering forgotten names in the 
history of ICT development, you can take action with tools and platforms 
that you have access to.

* ka-BLOG!
Explore and thicken the knowledge around ICTs & VAW by joining the 16 
days blogathon. New to blogging? This is the perfect reason to start 
your own, or at least, click that 'comment' button to have your say. 
Daily topics will be posted on the campaign site to stir conversation, 
as well as instructions on how to set up a blog.

* LOCAL INITIATIVES
Start your own Take Back The Tech campaign. As seen above, independent 
and creative initiatives to Take Back The Tech are taking off in 
different parts of the world, translating content and action to address 
local needs and priorities. Use the campaign website to highlight your 
action, or find useful information and resources. From tech tools & 
tips, articles & links, portable applications, images & graphics, to 
your own page on the site, email us to let us know how we can support 
your action.

* DIGITAL STORIES, AUDIOCASTS & MORE
Learn by listening to the experience and stories of women and men 
affected by VAW. The campaign website will feature digital stories, 
audiocasts, video clips and postcards. If you have something you would 
like to share, just log on to the campaign site and submit your story.

* SUGGEST AN ACTION
Help shape the campaign by sharing your experience & ideas. Submit your 
thoughts at the campaign website, and make it part of the campaign.

And more. Check the www.takebackthetech.net daily from 25 November to 10 
December, and take action. Reclaim technology to end violence against 
women.

For more information: send an email to jac at apcwomen.org, or 
ideas at takebackthetech.net
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"Take Back the Tech" is an initiative of the APC Women's Networking 
Support Programme (APC WNSP), a global network of women who support 
women networking for social change and women's empowerment, through the 
use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) especially 
internet, founded in 1993. The APC WNSP is part of the Association for 
Progressive Communications (APC).
http://www.apcwomen.org/about/
http://www.apc.org

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