Closer than ever

APC understands that we are all dealing with unprecedented circumstances as we face the challenges, fear and uncertainty brought on by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. We know it impacts our work, our personal lives and the lives of those we care about. Each country is tackling the situation differently, so the contexts we find ourselves in are as diverse as the ways we find to navigate shifting conditions.

In these exceptional times, we wish to send our solidarity and appreciation for connecting with us. While we are distancing ourselves physically, we continue to stay closer than ever to each other and share tools and resources as well as support. We also want to examine how we can continue to promote human rights online in the context of a global pandemic. We are all facing this problem together but we know it affects different countries and communities in different ways. Therefore, we would like to channel the strength of our network to share some important resources that we hope will be empowering, enlightening and reassuring.

Below you will find articles and insights shared by our community, which has been working on human rights and technology issues for over 30 years. We will be updating these lists on a regular basis, so please feel free to connect with us if you have some resources to share.

 

 

Inside the Digital Society: COVID-19 and e-commerce
Inside the Digital Society: COVID-19 and e-commerce 22 March 2021 David Souter and Anri van der Spuy

The accelerated growth of e-commerce, especially e-shopping, has been one of the themes of COVID-19’s relationship with digital. What’s been happening, what’s the likely impact and, as always, who are likely to be winners and losers in this part of the digital ecosystem?

How helpful are helpline numbers?
How helpful are helpline numbers? 01 March 2021 Ambika Tandon and Mira Swaminathan for GenderIT.org

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a spike in gender-based violence in India. Helplines and digital tools have been used to reach out to survivors, given the absence of physical services. But women who can't use phones, email or social media are most likely to be entirely excluded from these systems.

The impact of COVID-19 on digital rights in Africa
The impact of COVID-19 on digital rights in Africa 23 February 2021

This publication is a compilation of 19 articles by African researchers, academics, journalists and human and digital rights activists on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on digital rights in Africa.

Using the internet during a pandemic: Is it a choice?
Using the internet during a pandemic: Is it a choice? 16 February 2021 Brindaalakshmi. K for LocNet and GenderIT.org

Brindaalakshmi. K shares her experience of working with community networks in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in India and the importance of independent community networks as a support mechanism for gender and sexual minorities.

Inside the Digital Society: It’s the digital SOCIETY…
Inside the Digital Society: It’s the digital SOCIETY… 08 February 2021 David Souter

When people talk about the digital society, what’s their priority?

Networks woven with care
Networks woven with care 25 January 2021 Luisa Bagope and Sonaksha Iyengar for GenderIT.org

This beautifully illustrated story is a tale about how two community network women in India and the women around them sustained connectivity while navigating a global pandemic as the country came to a lockdown.

APC, Rhizomatica and 48percent.org join efforts to support community network responses to COVID-19
APC, Rhizomatica and 48percent.org join efforts to support community network responses to COVID-19 07 January 2021 48percent.org and APCNews

In a partnership with APC and Rhizomatica's LocNet initiative, 48percent.org is supporting five organisations, in Argentina, India, Mexico, Nigeria and Uganda, in their efforts to strengthen community networks and respond to the challenges in the face of COVID-19.

TEDIC Paraguay: Mass surveillance in the context of state emergency
TEDIC Paraguay: Mass surveillance in the context of state emergency 07 January 2021 Paloma Lara Castro para TEDIC

Unprecedented levels of surveillance, data exploitation, and misinformation are being tested across the world. It is important to examine how these technological solutions will impact democracy at the global level, both during this emergency period and moving forward.

Hardworking and resilient women engage with a health information chatbot in Pamoja Net
Hardworking and resilient women engage with a health information chatbot in Pamoja Net 17 December 2020 Chako Armant for GenderIT.org

GenderIT.org and APC's local access networks project invited women who work in community networks to share their experiences in the times of COVID-19 and their reflections on what these times have revealed around centring meaningful communication in their physical and digital communities.

Inside the Digital Society: Building (digital) back better?
Inside the Digital Society: Building (digital) back better? 16 December 2020 David Souter

The last blog post of the year. Last week I reflected on the (digital) year gone by; this week some thoughts – and hopes – for the (digital) year to come.

« Go back