Sessions at SXSW Interactive 2012 about Women and Africa

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Monday 12th March 2012

• Africa, Tech & Women: The New Faces of Development

  by Ebele Okobi, Isis Nyong'o, Liz Ngonzi, TMS Ruge and Deborah Ensor

  This panel provides a rare glimpse into the multitude of ways African women are applying technology to advance Africa’s development. The panel aims to dispel the myths about African women as breeders and victims -- incapable of participating in their own continent’s development, by: (1) showcasing contributions they are making in the technology field – through entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and community leadership; and (2) providing insights into how they are using technology to raise awareness about, mobilize campaigns against and address human rights violations.

  The panel will specifically explore how African women are using technology to make an impact through:
  - Digital advocacy to protect people’s rights
  - Social media to help grassroots organizations engage new supporters worldwide
  - Mobile advertising to enable small businesses to access new markets
  - Internet connectivity to integrate the often unheard community voices into the global conversation on development

  Throughout the discussion, panelists will provide anecdotes on how the resulting increased access to information is altering the role of women in African society.

  • Advocacy
  • Africa
  • Social Media
  • Technology
  • Women

  At 5:00pm to 6:00pm, Monday 12th March

  In Salon D, AT&T Conference Center

Tuesday 13th March 2012

• Women Drive Change: Tech in the Global South

  by Catherine Harrington, Emily Jacobi, Jenn Sramek, Kara Andrade and Zawadi Nyong'o

  The use of technology by women in the Global South is growing fast!

  From Africa to South America to Southeast Asia, women in the Global South are using technology tools in new and creative ways with astounding results. Teen girls and senior citizens alike are finding the freedom to use technology to let their voices be heard, to foster an independent living, and to bring about revolution.

  Women in the Global South are using advanced tactics and tools to:

  • Gain support to achieve their right to drive in Saudi Arabia
  • Advance human rights, sexual and reproductive rights and health, governance, and sustainable development in East Africa
  • Raise awareness about corrective rape and other hate crimes against lesbians in South Africa
  • Do Community mapping of sexual violence and harassment in Egypt
  • Mobilize support for women’s representation in leadership positions
  • Organize to topple political leadership

  Sophisticated and coordinated social media campaigns are becoming the domain of women all over the world.

  We will talk about what this means for women in the Global South, how their online personas might differ from real-world personas in societies where women have fewer rights, and where technology tools need to go next in order to meet their specific needs.

  • Africa
  • Middle East
  • South America
  • Women
  • Women in Tech

  At 3:30pm to 4:30pm, Tuesday 13th March

  In Salon E, AT&T Conference Center

  Coverage audio clip