#DevtIDEAS Debate: ICTs — technologies for oppression or liberation?
Channel: Development Ideas
Date: 2015-03-31

For a summary of this discussion and links to resource please visit http://www.developmentideas.info/2015/04/upcoming-devtideas-debate-icts-technologies-for-oppression-or-liberation/ 

Women in the developing world have used Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) to fight for a more inclusive society. Yet, their efforts have repeatedly met strong resistance grounded on old social prejudices. Often, ICTs have been used to oppress, attack and even silence women, or simply to harass them perpetuating sexist social norms and practices, online and offline. In response, and unlocking their liberating potential, many organizations have used ICTs to come together, make gender-based violence more evident and to spur empowering grassroots and political responses to counter it. Ending gender-based violence is a big step toward a more equitable society and ICTs can help. 

"Be it resolved, ICTs have the potential to change social norms and behaviours."

#DevtIDEAS Debate panellists discuss ICTs as tools of oppression and liberation, their role in helping women assert their rights in the digital age, and whether they have the potential to change social norms and behaviours.

SPEAKERS
— Chat Garcia Ramilo – Deputy Executive Director, Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
— Amel Fahmy – Co-Founder & Researcher, HarassMap Egypt
— Joana Varon Ferraz – Independent Advocate & Researcher 

MODERATOR
Chaitali Sinha, International Development Research Centre (IDRC)

WHEN
March 31, 2015 13h00 UTC (15h00 Cairo, 14h00 London, 9h00 New York). The discussion will last 1 hour 15 minutes.

FORMAT
#DevtIDEAS Debate will be broadcasting live as a Google+ Hangout on Air. The speakers will make short presentations and then take questions from the audience.

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#DevtIDEAS Debates are a series of live chats organized by Development Ideas — a space for thinkers and practitioners to learn, share and debate about international development. The site is facilitated by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), in collaboration with the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and the United Nations University (UNU).