Global Networking for Change: Experiences from the APC Women's Programme
- What progress had been made in women's global electronic networking? What are the needs and opportunities for the adoption of computer communication tools and resources by women?
- How can the APC Women's Program best serve women's global networking needs?
The general findings reveal that despite obstacles, women are making great strides in adopting electronic communications, and have benefited from the support and facilitation provided by proactive initiatives like the APC Women's Networking Support Program. Increased communication and sharing of knowledge from women in the South and Eastern Europe, as well as in remote communities in the North, has broadened the scope of online participation creating a more equitable global women's forum online.
Despite these signs of progress, women everywhere continue to experience barriers to electronic networking with lack of training and the cost of equipment to get connected ranking highest. To confront the barriers and harness opportunities, respondents suggested mentoring programs, plain language support materials, training for and by women, a support network of technical women, and funding to enable access and use. The APC Women's Program was called on to take a leadership role in facilitating this support. [author]
