Technology needed for women’s action
12-Nov-2008 09:11 AM

Women need to re-discover technology says femLINKPACIFIC’s Policy and Research Officer and acting Community Radio Team Leader, Veena Singh Bryar who is one of the three Pacific Island young women participating at the Feminist Technology Exchange (FTX) which got underway on Monday in Cape Town, South Africa.

Singh-Bryar is one of the many women and young women who are collectively re-discovering the potential of the use of information, communication and media technology for the women’s movement, says femLINKPACIFIC.

She said while technology had to some degree increased the participation and access of women to expression and decision making through the media there was still a huge need and concern to promote a balanced and non-stereotyped portrayal of women in the media.

“We need to learn how to protect ourselves and our rights.”

“Though some may identify with the masculine nature of technology and how often men and boys dominate this area, gradually women have increasingly been learning on how feminists or women in general can better utilise technologies to better advocate and utilise technologies to their advantage,” said Singh-Bryar.

FTX is organised by the Association for Progressive Communications Women’s Networking Support Programme (APC WNSP) and the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID), together with local partner Women’sNet. 

The FTX community of facilitators, coordinators and trainers is made up of a team of 20 women from different parts of the world, including femLINKPACIFIC’s Coordinator, Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, and they are sharing their skills, experience, knowledge, energy and commitment into shaping the FTX.