Technology and Feminism – Dismantling Power and Aligning our Tech to our Values
When we lift the cloak of neutrality from the technology we use, we see that the major digital tools available are developed by the same people and institutions who profit off deeply unequal and crisis-ridden systems. The bias and human rights harms caused by the privatisation of digital innovations in ways that perpetuate inequality, and the shrinking of online civil society spaces we use, are some of the issues that emerge once we question the neutrality of technology. Using a feminist analysis, this session will explore how the technology we use reflects, reproduces and entrenches the systemic oppression and injustice embedded in our current global political system, the alternatives being developed and why it is critical for social justice philanthropy to resource alternative digital futures that are aligned with our values.
How can intersectional feminist analyses help us to better understand the ways that power and privilege shape the current systems that impact all areas of our lives, as well as offer alternatives and solutions grounded in systemic change? What role can different actors in the philanthropic ecosystem play to make this work more visible and to align digital spaces with our values? What are the responsibilities of philanthropic actors who want to transform systems and how could we operationalize this?
This webinar has been planned by five women from different backgrounds, foundations and programmatic focuses. What we have in common is that we realise the potential of technology to be a space for liberation and a vehicle for systemic change, but that we have a long way to go for this to happen. We know that the discourse, technology and data science that underpin digital spaces are neither value neutral nor static-and yet, technology is being reclaimed and rebuilt by feminists and other activist communities every day. Grantmakers can play a key role in helping to build an alternative digital future where we feel safe and secure, and our rights to privacy, freedom of speech and association are respected.
Moderator:
- Joy Chia, Open Society Foundations
Speakers:
- Anasuya Sengupt, Whose Knowledge?
- Jennifer Radloff, Association for Progressive Communications Women’s Rights Programme
- Sarah Aoun, Open Tech Fund
Webinar Organizers:
- Amy Bisno, Wellspring Philanthropic Fund
- Kate Hellermann, Wegrand Stiftung
- Ledys Sanjuan, FRIDA The Young Feminist Fund
- Salome Chagelishvili, Women’s Fund in Georgia