APC Talk

This section is a space where APC's staff, members and readers can open up conversations on topics that are of interest for the ICT community. It is a space where authors get to be themselves – sometimes to express opinions and challenge the readers on issues and topics that are close to them, sometimes to share their personal experience on an event or a current debate. The views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the views of APC or its network, but that does not make them any less valuable.

Too much freaky sex: Online platforms as ways to talk about sex positivity 22 September 2022 Tiffany Kagure Mugo for GenderIT.org

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.

Mirror, mirror on the phone: How social media beauty filters impact South Asian women 15 September 2022 Areej Akhtar for GenderIT.org

Young women in South Asia struggle with the society's obsession with 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?

Inside the Digital Society: What do you mean, ‘digital transformation’?
Inside the Digital Society: What do you mean, ‘digital transformation’? 14 September 2022 David Souter

Our columnist reflects on how digitalisation has transformed, or at least changed the parameters, of our lives since the 1950s and where ‘digital transformation’ could head next. 

Seeding change: Communities mobilise open data to challenge oil industry pollution in Nigeria
Seeding change: Communities mobilise open data to challenge oil industry pollution in Nigeria 13 September 2022 Débora Prado

A groundbreaking project showcases how Nigerian communities are using low-cost, free technologies to monitor air pollution and stand up to hold the responsible accountable.

For queer people in Pakistan, pride flags on social media may be doing more harm than good
For queer people in Pakistan, pride flags on social media may be doing more harm than good 09 September 2022 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 opens doors of violence on individuals on the internet.

Big or little data in Africa: Why collaboration matters now more than ever
Big or little data in Africa: Why collaboration matters now more than ever 08 September 2022 JulietGrace Luwedde and Ibrahim Waiswa Batambuze

This year’s edition of DataFest Africa brought to light a very significant conversation that needs critical attention: data use in the private sector and civil society organisations within Africa. Pollicy's JulietGrace Luwedde shares key learnings from the biggest data festival on the c...

Celebrating 15 years of GISWatch:  “GISWatch links critical thinking and analysis to concrete proposals for change”
Celebrating 15 years of GISWatch: “GISWatch links critical thinking and analysis to concrete proposals for change” 19 August 2022 Anriette Esterhuysen

In the second installment of the Global Information Society Watch (GISWatch) 15th anniversary series, Anriette Esterhuysen reflects on the birth of the project during her time as APC's executive director, as well as its evolution and longevity as a meaningful resource.

Digital technologies in the abortion rights movement
Digital technologies in the abortion rights movement 18 August 2022 Shruti Arora for GenderIT.org

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.

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