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.

 

 

Remote working: Care for your body
Remote working: Care for your body 01 September 2020 Vassilis Chryssos

This article takes you through the process of building a work routine to help you avoid paying a hefty physical price for spending hours on a computer. This routine combines active and passive ergonomic practices with a caring mentality to sensitise you about your bodily health while working.

DEF's COVID-19 relief initiatives as a digitally enabled humanitarian organisation
DEF's COVID-19 relief initiatives as a digitally enabled humanitarian organisation 31 August 2020 Digital Empowerment Foundation

The Digital Empowerment Foundation launched the Digital Emergency Relief Programme through its Community Information Resource Centres (CIRC) in 600+ locations in India, which have been rigorously responding to the crisis by reaching out to the most vulnerable communities.

FMA submits report to UN special rapporteur on violence against women
FMA submits report to UN special rapporteur on violence against women 31 August 2020 Foundation for Media Alternatives

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated concerns on public life. Among the conditions faced in the Philippines during this period is gender-based violence, influenced by the quality of gender-responsive measures in times of crises.

What comes next after the Terror Law? FMA convenes civil society reps to talk about the future of free speech
What comes next after the Terror Law? FMA convenes civil society reps to talk about the future of free speech 31 August 2020 Foundation for Media Alternatives

The Foundation for Media Alternatives organised a webinar on digital rights in the Philippines, discussing the exacerbation of the digital divide during the lockdown, freedom of expression and the effects of the controversial Anti-Terror Law.

African internet resilience: What about complementary access models?
African internet resilience: What about complementary access models? 31 August 2020 Marta Kopp

The fifth session of the African Internet Resilience webinar series took place on 30 July. The focus of the session was to foster a deeper understanding of complementary networks and address the need for internet services in rural and underserved areas across the continent.

Hello? How can I help you today?: Mental health concerns for LGBTIQA+ people during COVID-19
Hello? How can I help you today?: Mental health concerns for LGBTIQA+ people during COVID-19 27 August 2020 Joshua Muyiwa for GenderIT.org

LGBTIQA+ people are often already isolated and invisibilised in their families, sometimes also facing abuse. In this article, mental health professionals speak about the vulnerability of these groups and people during the lockdown and how fragile links of community and support are being built.

CIPESA: Tanzania entrenches digital rights repression amidst COVID-19 denialism and a looming election
CIPESA: Tanzania entrenches digital rights repression amidst COVID-19 denialism and a looming election 24 August 2020 Edrine Wanyama for CIPESA

On 17 July, the Tanzania government issued new Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations. These new regulations repress online speech, privacy and access to information.

Israeli impact on Palestinian digital rights during the coronavirus pandemic
Israeli impact on Palestinian digital rights during the coronavirus pandemic 20 August 2020 Dr Nijmeh Ali

This position paper published by 7amleh - The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media details the increase in Israeli digital rights violations with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Between regulation and rights: DEF at RightsCon
Between regulation and rights: DEF at RightsCon 19 August 2020 Sarah Farooqui, Digital Empowerment Foundation

Participants from a range of countries and regions took part in a panel at RightsCon 2020 to bring perspectives from around the world to the topic of empowering the people through media and information literacy.

Gender and the virtual workplace during COVID-19
Gender and the virtual workplace during COVID-19 18 August 2020 Kathleen Foley for GenderIT.org

How does working online change and challenge gender dynamics in the workplace? Here we learn more through the experience of a barrister about how some of the changes brought about by COVID-19 could potentially be liberating and eventually change the workplace to make it better for women.

« Go back