[APCPress] TAKE BACK THE TECH! 16 days of reclaiming technology to end violence against women
Karen Higgs
khiggs at apc.org
Fri Nov 23 15:36:25 GMT 2007
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
END
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