Documents of the Working Group

Links of the Working Group

Contents available: Castellano, Català, English, Galego et français

July - November, 2004

A. Presentation of the goals and preliminary references (July 2004)
B. Support Committee, Websites and associated institutions (August 2004)
C. Particulars (Work Group coordination)
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This working group aims to open a debate on the Knowledge Society and Gender Equality.

It is urgent that both governments and civil society recognize that Gender equity and women?s rights are fundamental principles in the Knowledge Society that we are building, which will guarantee equal opportunities for access to information and communication technology as well as to the internet system.

The objective is a truly equitable society that promotes knowledge and contributes to the reduction of poverty; an inclusive and diverse society that eliminates the cultural, social, technological, and economics gender gaps.

1. the need to democratize the access and dissemination of knowledge as a base for a citizenship defined in terms of equality and gender equity*.

2. the need to examine the criteria defining and using ICT in the Knowledge Society,

3. the need to create networks for exchanging knowledge and experiences in order to include a gender perspective in a development program and to enable the Hispanic community to make inclusive proposals in Knowledge Society.

With these aims in mind, we will take as starting points:

-the statement of the WSIS-Gender Caucus (a multi-stakeholder group of women and men from national governments, non-governmental organisations, civil society, the private sector, and the United Nations system) during the preparation of the WSIS in Geneva last December of 2004

-the electronic forum GENDERICT on information, communication technologies and gender equality developed in the framework of the Gendernet programme from the World Bank, since May 10 to June 10, 2004.

. Starting from these first two steps, the aim is to analyse and to make new proposals for the next WSIS in Tunis, in November, 2005.

The respect for human rights, gender equality, peace and sustainable development will be the basis for specific actions.

. Themes and key issues for the development of this debate:

1 Gender Equality must be a fundamental principle for action

The WSIS Declaration and Plan of Action should acknowledge existing gender divides and recommend action to eliminate them. Action must be taken to help individuals and communities overcome the persisting social and cultural obstacles that limit their contributions, and promote full inclusion for all women.

2 Equitable participation in decisions shaping the Information Society

Women are agents of development, and as such, they are very active in defining and leading potential development in the Information Society. A more democratic and equitable participation will help to create a truly empowering and capable Information Society to which all contribute and from which all can benefit.

There is no excuse for excluding groups representing interests that differ from the general pattern. Under-represented/excluded groups must become equal partners in conceptualizing, designing, and implementing technology and must actively contribute to policy and practice.

3. New and old ICTs in a multimodal approach

A multimodal approach is needed to increase access to new and traditional ICTs. This will ensure that traditional modes of communication and information sharing, as well as new technologies are provided equitably.

In addition, the ICTs must promote their use as tools of development. There are many women in situations of near-poverty, who are making effective use of simple and affordable communication tools for development; their efforts ought to be acknowledged and strengthened. Local content and applications development in different languages must also be facilitated, and support given to community-based radio, local cyber-centers, and other women's information and communication centres, so they might offer innovative and effective proposals for wider democratization of tecnological knowledge.

4. Designing ICTs for Gender Equality

ICTs are not gender-neutral. Products and services shape people and nations. Decisive action must ensure that ICTs evolve in response to the needs and interests of the majority of the world's population. Women and currently under-represented groups should be equitably represented in technology research, design and development and encouraged through appropriate, targeted education in this area.

Many experiences developed by women in the ciberspace will serve as referents for how collective knowledge can be created based on active participation and networking on information and knowledge exchange?knowledge that will be essential to advancing gender equality.

We need important efforts in order to include the interests of other groups considered as minorities that can make the debate and proposals for action richer and wider.

5. Empowerment for full participation

Targeted and ongoing action is needed at all levels to strengthen women's and girls' capacities to be effective users of ICTs, as well as developers and shapers of technology, the problems it addresses, and the manner in which it is integrated in society.

6 Research analysis and evaluation to guide action

Governments and other stakeholders?from the public and private sectors? must apply creative research and evaluation techniques to measure and monitor impacts?intended and unintended?on women generally and on specific groups of women. At minimum, governments and others should collect information disaggregated by sex, income, age, location and other relevant factors. On the basis of this data, and applying a gender perspective, we should intervene and be proactive in ensuring that the impacts of ICTs are beneficial to all people.

. Web sites and statements referred

WSIS Gender Caucus
http://www.genderwsis.org/index.0.html (december 2003)

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Gender Equality:
E-discussion on the impact of ICT on gender relations and the ways ICT can be used to overcome gender inequalities. sharing ideas, opinions, concerns, and lessons learned with development practitioners, policy makers, and academics. Moderator: Eva Rathgeber

http://www.worldbank.org/gender/digitaldivide/
http://www.dgroups.org/groups/worldbank/Gender-ICT/index.cfm

Towards what knowledge society? Editorial II On-line Congress for the Observatory of the Cibersociety http://www.cibersociedad.net/congres2004/index_en.html

Statement for the active cibercitizenship, reponsible and commitment
http://www.cibersociedad.net/inicio.htm

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Nota: Glossary os the European Commission including definitions on equality and gender equity in several languageshttp://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/equ_opp/glossary/glossary_en.pdf

B. Support Committee, Websites and associated institutions (august 2004)

- E-Leusis.net, La ciudad de las mujeres, Mª Angustias Bertomeu Martínez (España) - OREGAND, Denyse Còte (Quebec) - Dpto Urbanística y Ordenación del Territorio ETSAM UPM, Inés Sánchez de Madariaga (España) - Institut Universitari d´Estudis de la Dona, Universitat de Valencia, MªLuisa Moltó (España) - Observatorio para la CiberSociedad, Fernando Garrido (España) - Comisión de los Derechos de la Mujer, Congreso de los Diputados, Carmen Alborch (España) - Secretaria de Igualdad MTAS Ministerio de Trabajo y Asuntos sociales, Soledad Murillo (España) - Secretaría de Estado para la Cooperación Internacional, MAE Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación , Leire Pajín (España)

To support this initiativa, please contact the coordinators

C. Particulars (coordination)

. Coordinator #1

Name: Anne le Maignan
e-mail: anne(AT)lemaignan.net

Institution of belonging:
GENEROURBAN http://www.generourban.org/index.html
OREGAND http://w3.uqo.ca/oregand/
Position/profession: Architect. Coordinator of networks. ITC Consultant
Lenguges: French-Spanish. Speak and write. English, middle level

. Coordinator #2

Name: Carmen Castro Garcia
e-mail: carmen(AT)singenerodedudas.com

Institution of belonging:
SinGENEROdeDUDAS http://singenerodedudas.com/
LibrodeNotas Comunityhttp://librodenotas.com/
Position/profession: Economist. Gender Consultant. / Knowledge Managment
Lenguages: Spanish - Galician - Portugues and English. Speak and Write.

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