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From bridging the tech sector gender gap to environment-friendly fashion to queer joy: GenderIT’s feminist talk highlights local issues and voices across Asia and Africa

APC’s GenderIT.org provides a space for reflection, influence and advocacy on internet policy in relation to the rights and demands of women and gender-diverse people and issues related to sexuality, with a particular focus on voices from the Global South. Here we share a sampling of recent posts featuring the opinions, experiences and thoughts of writers from the diverse community of GenderIT contributors. Feminist talk from AfricaSpinning protests: Kenya’s pro-government bloggers push anti-queer smearsAmidst the protests to reject the Finance Bill 2024 in Kenya, protestors were subjected to online campaigns with particular attacks on queer individuals in the country, reports Linda Ngari. Data analysis of Twitter activities of some of the most active accounts suggests that these smear campaigns were in fact coordinated, and points towards an ongoing trend victimising marginalised communities.Beating the gender gap: Nigeria’s tech space is a challenge for women to enterNigeria's tech industry has shown impressive growth, contributing 16.66% to the nation's GDP, but remains heavily male-dominated. Women face unique challenges, from hiring biases to workplace harassment, even as some companies adopt women-only initiatives that sometimes feel performative. Ugonna-Ora Owoh argues that continued support and accountability are crucial to fostering a truly inclusive environment for women in tech.Securing the future of African women and girls onlineThe internet has become a mirror of women's grim reality in Africa, where they are subjected to various forms of violence daily. Chioma Agwuegbo discusses the situation of online gender-based violence on the continent while envisioning a different reality that secures the digital futures of African women and girls.Feminist talk from AsiaOnline health misinformation, apathetic doctors and anecdotal evidence: One Pakistani woman with PCOS turns to create her own OzempicUnverified and false information on the internet has significantly impacted women's health in ways that leave lasting impact on their bodies. Momina Mindeel speaks to a woman who, in attempts to cure her polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), turned to social media after the health care system failed and she ended up with eating disorders.Women street vendors are hesitant to use digital payment methods in IndiaWhile digital payments are transforming the shopping experience for people in India, the overemphasis on digitisation without addressing the gaps in technological access is creating challenges for those who lack necessary skills. As Anuj Behal reports, women street vendors say that they either don't have the skills or technology to access payments made to them, or they don't trust the platforms with their hard earned money.The fate of Bangladesh’s cyber security act? A swift repealBangladesh's Cyber Security Act replicates the draconian legislative framework that its predecessors imposed on online civil liberties in the country. With the new government in place, activists are demanding for its repeal, writes Parsa Sanjana Sajid.Desi queer joy on the internet is defying social norms rooted in violenceGiven the multifaceted structural violence that queer communities face in South Asia, their identities and existence are only referred to in relation to this violence. Arslan Athar challenges this notion and introduces how LGBTQIA+ folks in the region are reclaiming their identities by portraying the joyful parts of their lives on the internet.Social media is helping people make environment-friendly fashion choicesThe low prices of fast fashion have made it the preferred fashion choice for consumers around the world, leading to not just overconsumption but also overproduction that impacts the environment. Anmol Irfan explores how sustainability advocates are taking to social media in attempts to push for a behaviour change. Image: Illustration by Paru Ramesh for GenderIT.org.

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The exercise of sexting, which forms part of the right to freedom of expression and sexual and reproductive rights, is currently being carried out by many adults and adolescents. However, this exercise has led to the emergence of situations of violence such as the dissemination of non-consensual int

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TEDIC could be censored for publishing about gender-based violence

We want to warn of efforts to censor a post that we published recently, where we brought up cases of gender-based violence on the Internet in Paraguay. The post included screenshots of a conversation on Facebook Messenger where a group of men chat about sexually abusing a journalist to “correct“ her