Gender and ICTs
HRC44 wrapped up on 14 July. The internet and new technologies were in focus to a significant degree, with a number of resolutions, panels and reports touching on the online dimension of human rights. Here are some highlights of outcomes relating to human rights online at this past session.
The Feminist Internet Research Network intentionally seeks to go beyond research to impact on policy and advocacy. But what should a feminist approach to policy shifts encompass, specifically coming from the global South?
Because of the pandemic, more people are staying home and enjoying the benefits of technology. Women, however, can have a different online experience as gender-based violence manifests in various ways in virtual spaces.
As a new bill which could restrict abortion even further was debated, Polish women found new ways to continue their protests for abortion rights, even in the face of lockdown measures caused by COVID-19.
As widespread recent protests have highlighted, racial inequality remains an urgent and devastating issue around the world, and this is as true in the context of technology as it is everywhere else.
How are LBTIQ+ people and communities facing the difficulties posed by the global pandemic and the lockdown? This article explores the emergence of solidarities among different marginalised groups in Indonesia, including farmers and queer communities, to ensure food, work and basic survival.
In this brief submission, APC identifies the nexus between domestic violence and online gender-based violence in the context of COVID-19, drawing on some issues to consider from country-led and regional case studies.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown why the protection of human rights online is more important now than ever before. The internet has been a gateway for access to critical information, services and opportunities available to many people for the first time, as noted by the GSMA mobile gender gap report.
Gender-based violence against women and girls remains a global threat to the public health of women and girls during emergencies. As the COVID-19 pandemic deepens the economic and social stress, coupled with restricted movement and social isolation measures, gender-based violence against women and girls is increasing exponentially.
Kate Sim is a DPhil student at the Oxford Internet Institute researching the datafication and automation of sexual harassment reporting systems in US higher education. In this interview with Deep Dives, Kate talks about her research on sexual harassment, digital technologies and big data.

Association for Progressive Communications (APC) 2020
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