ICTworks by Inveneo

Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) is a non-governmental organization initiated in May 2000 by several women’s organisations in Uganda to develop the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) among women as tools to share information and address issues collectively. The WOUGNET Junior ICT Expert is a dynamic, self-motivated, and innovative person who is passionate about the use of ICTs in improving the lives of women and youth in Uganda. Under supervision of the Senior Program Officer - Technical Support Program, the Junior ICT Expert will undertake activities in the area of ICT for development, particularly in the implementation of WOUGNET programs and initiatives.

More details: http://www.spidercenter.org/node/392

On May 3rd 2011, 'Take Back the Tech!' and 'Communication is your Right!' host a global action day called 'World Freedom Day' to "defend our right to freely access, use, engage and share information and opinions and become our own media through information and communication technologies (ICT)."

How to get involved?

1) JOIN US ON TWITTER! DATE: MAY 3RD

Use hashtags: #3may #takebackthetech #commright

Join our conversation on Twitter on May 3 about the potential, risks and challenges we face exercising our right to communicate. We will also focus on women’s voices and experiences and how we can collectively work to make sure women’s right to communicate is respected.

2) POST YOUR DEMANDS

Create a speech bubble using a piece of cardboard or paper. Write down your demands in terms of your right to communicate. For example: "Accessing info about sexual health is my right"; "Having private conversations is my right"; "Freedom from censorship is my right" etc.
Include our action hashtags in your speech bubble (#3may, #takebackthetech, #commright or all three)
Take a picture of the speech bubble in different spaces to claim that space. For example, on your computer, by the sidewalk, or a picture of yourself holding it up.
Post it! Help create a collective demand by adding your picture to the gallery. You can post your picture on this site, using Twitpic, on TBTT's facebook page or email it to: ideasATtakebackthetechDOTnet.
3) CREATE A VIDEO!

We are encouraging women and girls all over the world to share their message by creating a video. Communication Is Your Right! empowers people to create videos about what messages are being suppressed and offers a platform for women to share their messages. Here is how you can submit your videos:

http://www.communicationisyourright.org/article_19_videos_digital_media/

When Ritse Erumi read an article that said ICT lacks female leaders she took it upon herself to tweet, "ICT lacks female leaders. Hmmm, what to do?!"

I do know what to do - let's prove this article wrong!

I can think of a number of women leaders in ICT4D, starting with my boss and Inveneo co-founder Kristin Peterson. From there, I can list the many women who inspire me and empower the ICT4D movement. But why have just my list? I know there are women driving ICT and development around the world.

And if we want more women in ICT, it's proven that girls need role models and mentors to inspire them. Many of these ICT4D women are on Twitter too. So...

Introducing the ICT4D Women Twitter List

Here's is the ICT4D Women Twitter List - an ever-growing cadre of leading ICT4D women we all can be proud to follow. Be sure to add to the list by Tweeting to us @ICTworks with the #ICT4Dwomen hashtag or by adding names & Twitter handles in the comments below.

Either way, be sure to be proud to follow these pioneers - in technology as much as gender.

The President of the Tamale based Female ICT Teachers Association (FICTTA), Miss Angela Serwaa Boateng has called on all women in the field of Science and Technology to make themselves more visible to younger females who might want to look up to them for inspiration and as role models.

Miss Angela said this at a forum organized to mark the International Women’s day celebration at the Tamale Girls Senior High School in Tamale. She spoke on the theme; Women Participation in Science and Technology: Challenges, opportunities and the way forward.

She stated that it is a proven fact that Science and Technology help to empower women by improving their ability to Access information, Education, Services such as market prices for crops, Professional development opportunities and tools to promote their health and that of their families. She added that studying science and technology will lead to a better paid employment and increase women’s financial independence and security.

On the challenges faced by women and young girls, the FICTTA president mentioned that in senior high schools, a girl is usually advised by members of family, friends and teachers to take easier arts subjects. She added that the perceived difficult nature of Science and Technology courses and the role of the school where certain subjects, are taught serve as a challenge. She further added that the attitudes of teachers and guidance and counseling coordinators also do not encourage girls to take up the study of science and technology.

Speaking on opportunities available to girls, she stated that one main program which has been going on in Ghana since 1987 is the Science, Technology and Mathematics Education (STME) Clinic for Girls, initiated by the Ghana Education Service to help increase the number of girls who opt to study science at higher levels in educational institutions. She mentioned that the goal of the STME is to help bridge the gender gap and maximize the potentials of Ghanaian women, with the ultimate aim of increasing female representation in the field of science and technology.

She opined that her association, the Female ICT Teachers Association (FICTTA) which was formed by Savana Signatures (www.savsign.org) also offered some opportunities to girls and women. She mentioned such opportunities as oopportunity for regular capacity building in ICT, an opportunity to serve as role models to younger ones and the opportunity to get networked with the best Science and Technology practitioners in the world.

She mentioned that introduction of ICT into the schools syllabus – from basic to University is yet another great opportunity that should be taken advantage of. She urged institutions as GINKS, IICD, Savana Signatures, GIFEC, FICTTA, Kofi Annan ICT Centre of Excellence to vigorously advocate for more female participation in ICT.

She urged females in the country who are at the forefront of ICT to be more visible in championing the case for women participation in Science and Technology. She cited the examples of Dorothy Gordon – Director General, Ghana- India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence, Estelle Akofio Sowah – Country Director, google Ghana, Eva Lokko – Former director General, GBC as some examples of women who have achieved and are at the forefront of ICTs and urged them to be more visible and also come out with programs that can urge the younger ones on.

On the way forward, the FICTTA president called for the following:

There should be strategies for promoting women and girls access to Science and Technology education.

There should be a high degree of interaction between boys and girls in Science and Technology classes.

Teachers should avoid criticisms which could affect girls’ self-image or perception of their capabilities to learn science

There should be forums on sex role awareness so that students can understand and question stereotypic attitudes and behaviors

Women and professional associations should organize conferences and seminars around gender issues in the practice of Science and Technology education,

There should be vocational remedial courses for girls offering Science and Technology subjects

Women into Science and Technology should be more visible so that young girls can look up to them.

Government should fund projects that are aimed at promoting female participation in Science and Technology.

Recognizing and publishing the contributions of women in Science and Technology through the award of national honors as well as making concrete moves to remove sex stereotyping in science textbooks will go a long way to help.

There should be provision of adequate science labs and facilities in schools as well as remunerating Science and Technology teachers to boost their morale and increase their level of commitment

Also at the forum was Dr. Susan Dontwi, a pediatrician at the Pediatric department of the Tamale Teaching Hospital. She spoke on the topic “Equal access to education and training in science and technology; pathway to decent work for women. Dr. Susan mentioned that real education should make human beings noble and lead all to have social and economic growth. She mentioned some factors leading to the pathway to include social, cultural, physical, emotional and attitudes. She stated that at her department, she is the only female and urged all the students present to take their studies serious so that they could join her.

International Women's Day celebrates it's 100th year March 8th 2011. The theme for this year is “Equal Access to Education, Training and Science and Technology: Pathway to Decent Work for Women.” A theme well understood by practitioner's in the ICT4D field.

Below is a message from UN women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet.

Some related Women and Technology links:

• International Women's Day: e-Agriculture celebrates women, agriculture and ICT
• Science and technology offers great opportunities for rural women’s empowerment
• International Women’s Day in Mariakani