Home ›

History

Women’sNet was launched in March 1998, as a joint initiative of South African Non-Governmental Organisation Network (SANGONeT) and the Commission on Gender Equality (CGE). This collaboration was born out of a desire to develop a network that would facilitate the promotion of gender equality in South Africa by using new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

The launch was the result of work done in 1997, where women from NGOs, statutory bodies, and academia came together to set out their vision for Women'sNet as an organisation. Says Jennifer Radloff, who was there: "It was a powerful, interactive and valuable opportunity for women and gender activists at that time in our herstory as South Africans, as activists and as women aware of the need to harness ICTs.

Women’sNet was officially launched in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg. The Durban launch took place at the Commission for Gender Equality and South African Department of Justice Conference on the Prevention of Violence Against Women in the SADC region. In Cape Town, Women’sNet was launched in Parliament at a high profile lunch hosted by the Parliamentary Women’s Group. The Johannesburg launch took place in the SANGONeT offices and was attended by more that 40 women from NGOs and government agencies throughout Gauteng. Approximately 300 people together attended all three launches.

From 1998 until October 2002, Women’sNet operated as a project of SANGONeT, and was located within and operated as part SANGONeT. In light of restructuring plans with in SANGONeT, Women’sNet was granted approval by the SANGONeT Board to set itself up as an independent organisation. Women’sNet moved offices in November 2002, and became formally registered as a Section 21 company (a not-for profit organisation, in terms of South African company law) in January 2003.

Highlights of our work include:

1999: Creating the first online space for South African Women to reflect on and strategise in the lead up to the 1999 national elections

2000: Winning the Highway Africa Award for Innovative Use of New Media

2000: launching a project to develop audio/radio content with women's organisations. This project grew into the current (S)he-bytes project which trains producers at community radio stations to develop and broadcast quality content on gender

2002: Being part of the formation of the World Summit on the Information Society Gender Caucus

2003: Participating as core partner in the first Africa-wide Women and Electronic Networking Training (WENT), hosted by the Association for Progressive Communications' Women's Networking and Support Programme (APC-WNSP)

2004: Hosting the first African workshop on Free and Open Source Solutions (FOSS) for women's organisations in partnership with Ungana-AfriKa and the Association for Progressive Communications' Women's Networking and Support Programme (APC-WNSP)

2004: Hosting a regional workshop on ICTs in the Service of Good Governance, Democratic Practice and Development for Rural Women in Africa in partnership with Dimitra

2004: Launching Girls'Net, a programme that gets girls actively involved with technology for their own development.

2005/6 Women'sNet participated as trainers and resource persons in the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women's (UNDAW) process to build capacity and establish an African network of Gender Machineries to engage with ICT policy in their countries

2006: Innovating the Digital Story Telling Workshops to train women and girls in story telling, combining audio, images and text into a short documentary about their lives

2006: Participated in research project on stimulating the participation of women in high level ICTs in South Africa (as researchers and writers). Women'sNet's Executive Director, Natasha Primo is one of the authors of the final report.

2006: the launch of our new printed and online newsletter: "Intersections: Feminist in Action" covering the intersection of gender and ICTs

2006: Putting Feminist on The Agenda. A conference to follow up the groundbreaking Putting Women on the Agenda held in 1994. Women'sNet, joined with the Centre for Applied Legal Studies, and Canadian partners for the conference

2007: For UNICEF, undertook a Rapid Assessment of Cell phone Technologies for HIV/AIDS prevention Treatment and Care in South Africa and beyond

2007: We collaborated with Agenda Feminist Media to produce a journal dedicated to ICTs titled: ICTs- Women Take a Byte

2007: Launch of GIST ("Girls Identities superior in Technology") - girls develop content including graphics. 2008 sees another issue, following a workshop against violence.

2007: We developed digital stories with Fancy Stitch - a women's livelihood project in rural KwaZulu Natal. We trained 23 women to make their own movies, in local language. The stories went on tour with Oxfam Australia and solicited support for the project.

2008: We developed digital stories in partnership with Gender DynamiX and the Gay and lesbian Memory in Action project. The stories focused on transgender people and will be used for awareness raising and to address hate crimes against people who transgress gender boundaries

2008: We trained a number of South African NGOs in citizen journalism as part of an Open Society funded project. participants produced multi-media content touching issues of importance to them.

2009: We trained 60 female members of the new Zimbabwe coalition parliament in partnership with the SADC Parliamentary Forum, to use ICTs in their work, and especially to make sure women are included in the making of the new constitution

 

Read more about the 1997 workshop that made it all happen

Read more about how the Women’sNet website was born

See the Women’sNet timeline

 Women'sNet is a member of the Association for Progressive Communications andthe APC Women’s Networking Support Programme

 Picture of our mosaic
Sonja Boezak and Jenny Radloff 1999
Nosimphiwe Jikijela Radio Project staff celebrates in 2006
local government trainees 2005, Western Cape

Comments

MW Messwerkzeuge

Submitted by s8vm632 on Fri, 26/08/2011 - 19:20.

I am really inspired by the effort of the team "Women'sNet". They really tried hard to help others. I want this organisation will live forever.

MW Messwerkzeuge

Normal 0 false false fals

Submitted by hideki11 on Thu, 25/08/2011 - 22:58.

Normal 0 false false false EN-PH X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

Very interesting article, I have now bookmarked this website and will check back regularly. Quotations

/* Style Definitions

Submitted by tusan62 on Mon, 22/08/2011 - 07:55.

/* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Interesting post. I will now read the rest of this website. Thanks again- /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} <a href="http://www.Halloween.com/">Halloween</a>.

I will be checking back

Submitted by KevinB115 on Mon, 22/08/2011 - 06:49.

I will be checking back often. Thanks for the good posts so far.I have been reading many of the advice and posts on this website and find that they are very helpfull.
I have searched the internet for such advice. Good work guys!!

pandora

Drudge Report Archive

Submitted by HenryBrown on Sat, 20/08/2011 - 15:37.

Thanks for the post, will check back soon to see what comments have been left.

<a href="http://www.drudgereportarchive.com/">Drudge Report Archive</a>

Christmas

Submitted by John milton on Sat, 20/08/2011 - 15:17.

Have been searching the internet for similar information. Will now bookmark this page.

<a href="http://www.santaclaus.com/">Christmas</a>

I have been reading many of

Submitted by KevinB115 on Fri, 19/08/2011 - 16:43.

I have been reading many of the advice and posts on this website and find that they are very helpfull. I will be checking back often. Thanks for the good posts so far.

Krankenkassenvergleich Krankenkassenwechsel Krankenkassenprämien Krankenkasse

work,Forex

Submitted by KevinB115 on Thu, 18/08/2011 - 10:43.

Once again a very helpful post. I have been reading many of the advice and posts on this website and find that they are very helpful and interesting. I will be checking back often and reviewing further posts here, as well as all comments. Thanks for the great advice so far.

Work At Home Scams

Forex Megadroid Review

Re:

Submitted by KevinB115 on Wed, 17/08/2011 - 07:09.

This is an interesting article and has been very helpfull. I will check back again soon to read the other articles. Thanks

Wealth Management

This has been a decent post.

Submitted by Zahid on Wed, 17/08/2011 - 02:33.

This has been a decent post. Ive been looking
across the internet for something similar. Good work <a href="http://www.bunionectomy.org">bunionectomy</a>

 

http://www.katsantonisphoto.com

Submitted by KevinB115 on Tue, 09/08/2011 - 08:26.

Good advice and decent writing. I have been looking around the internet for similar advice. Thanks

Wedding Photography Cyprus

www.wealth-management.ch

Submitted by KevinB115 on Tue, 09/08/2011 - 08:24.

This is an interesting article and has been very helpfull. I will check back again soon to read the other articles. Thanks

Wealth Management

Medium Term Notes

Great

Submitted by dgensonfer on Sun, 07/08/2011 - 18:18.


Then, whenever you turn the computer on again all your work from before you hibernated it is all still there.

Sök efter billiga flygbiljetter med Reser

Tax Relief,IRS tax help

Submitted by KevinB115 on Sun, 07/08/2011 - 07:41.

Thanks for the top advice. Im sure that I will be back soon to check out your other articles. Keep up the good work.

<a href="http://www.myirstaxrelief.com/irs-tax-help-1651365.html">Tax Relief</a>

<a href="http://www.myirstaxrelief.com/irs-tax-help-1651366.html">IRS tax help</a>

 I thank you for the one who

Submitted by shean on Fri, 05/08/2011 - 09:49.

 I thank you for the one who made this organization possible for it help womens to be more stronger and has shoulder to lean on in times of troubles.

Longhorn

Agree

Submitted by Gary Mane on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 09:39.

What you have stated here is somewhat I agree. I know that everyone should say the same thing, but I just feel that you put it in a way that everybody could understand easily. I also love the impression you put in here. They fit so well with what you're trying to say. I am sure you'll reach so many people with what you've got to say. From me, Gary @ travel packages.

gostei

Submitted by marinasilvabr on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 21:15.

legal, gostei mto do topico, paraabens pelo site

Hi everyone...

Submitted by JamesRobert on Wed, 20/07/2011 - 07:05.

I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.

Thanks,

Ceiling fans with lights

South of france villas

Shrugs and boleros
 

 If we keep working hard and

Submitted by uhaul on Mon, 18/07/2011 - 22:00.

 If we keep working hard and together, I am sure we can stop with this, let´s keep crying, we can get it!

uhaul

very good

Submitted by juni on Thu, 14/07/2011 - 09:57.

The Post Is Written in a very good manner "and it" entail Many Useful information for me. I Appreciated What You Have Done here. I am Always searching for informative information like this.Tarife vergleichen

I must say. After reading

Submitted by janiconner on Mon, 15/08/2011 - 11:20.

I must say. After reading what I just read, you are an amazing author! Really, you use proper grammar, proper use of pronunciations, proper everything! I might also like to add and say that I think you pin pointed my style of writing as well which I adore! What I also like about your blog is that you give an opportunity for a wider variety of an audience to unravel the immense storyline of your writings. And with that, I think you will definitely keep up succeeding in flourishing an exceptionally well written piece....

free cell phone spy software

 I applaud you for your work

Submitted by psitta on Mon, 11/07/2011 - 03:35.

 I applaud you for your work and everything you have achieved. What a great organisation, well done, you are making a difference! :)

http://www.seo-basics-site.com

This is a nice website and

Submitted by maria51harlow on Sun, 10/07/2011 - 19:35.

This is a nice website and the content and articles are undoubtedly informational. I have book-marked these pages and will tell it with my personal audience. Excellent. http://totallyfreemoviedownloads.com

good sites....

Submitted by juni on Sat, 09/07/2011 - 09:21.

Please keep on posting such articles as this is a rare thing to find these days. I am always searching online for articles that can help me. Trucking Software

Thanks for the great information.

Submitted by Klynch on Wed, 06/07/2011 - 23:40.

Thank you for providing this valuable information on this great service.  

very nice

Submitted by sonu on Thu, 30/06/2011 - 13:56.

Thanks for a nice post you have given to us with such an large collection of information. Great work you have done by sharing them to all.starting a cleaning business

Great Post

Submitted by Jimmi quid on Thu, 30/06/2011 - 10:55.

 What youre saying is completely true. I know that everybody must say the same thing, but I just think that you put it in a way that everyone can understand. I also love the images you put in here. They fit so well with what youre trying to say. Im sure youll reach so many people with what youve got to say. seo basics

terrific info on this website

Submitted by maria51harlow on Sun, 19/06/2011 - 21:08.

I continuously get terrific info on this website. I really am taking the time for these blog posts. I routinely check the site for updates. Precisly what I needed to read. movie dowloads

Kamagra

Submitted by ricky1 on Sat, 18/06/2011 - 11:51.

/* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Hey,Great idea, I would like to read your post every day, /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Generic Viagra | Kamagra

Nice Post

Submitted by ricky1 on Sat, 18/06/2011 - 11:50.

Wow, nice post,there are many person searching about that now they will find enough resources by your post /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} kamagra | Generic Viagra

222

Submitted by Rbaggio on Mon, 13/06/2011 - 09:20.
Convenience is yet another step to consider when examining solar energy miami generators power. Solar energy is much more convenient than generator power.

/* Style Definitions

Submitted by DonDert on Sat, 11/06/2011 - 23:25.

/* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Обычная таблица"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}

Nothing to say but only pleasure of reading each line of the text and it is really amazing.

tramadol pharmacy

Educative post

Submitted by Stallion on Wed, 08/06/2011 - 14:48.

L'association nette des femmes était instinctive hors d'un désir ardent d'augmenter un système qui ferait facile l'approbation de la parité sexuelle de catégorie en Afrique du Sud par l'utilisation nouvelle dans des technologies d'ordre et de communique.Advertising Jobs London

Welke youre zeggen volledig

Submitted by Stallion on Wed, 08/06/2011 - 08:12.
Welke youre zeggen volledig waar is. Ik weet dat iedereen het zelfde ding moet zeggen, maar ik denk enkel dat u het op een bepaalde manier zet dat iedereen kan begrijpen. Ik houd ook van de beelden u hier aanbrengt. Zij passen zo goed met welke youre proberend te zeggen.Advertising Jobs London

Good Article

Submitted by Stallion on Tue, 07/06/2011 - 09:00.

" Ik ben Christelijk maar ik geloof het hebben van verschillende godsdienst of cultiveer het won' t kwestie zolang wij ons als verenigden. Het belangrijke ding is hier vrede en eerbied elkaar ". Dit is absoluut waar en ik geef volledige steun aan deze commentaar. Werkelijk Gewaardeerd!Villas In Corfu

Women’s net partnership was

Submitted by Georgian on Tue, 07/06/2011 - 07:26.

Women’s net partnership was instinctive out of a longing to expand a system that would make easy the endorsement of sexual category parity in South Africa by using new in order and communiqué Technologies .

PC monitors

Great information... thanks

Submitted by royalking on Tue, 31/05/2011 - 12:04.

Great information... thanks for you review and tutorial about how to comment.I think if we walk to other blog we most comment to give appreciate for owner. parduotuve

nice site

Submitted by sarahdeep on Thu, 02/06/2011 - 09:35.

That's a super healthy review. Thanks for sharing, i look forward to read more from your blog. Check my travel guide to rent villa online in Europe, rent villas in Ibiza.

csnk

Submitted by csnk on Thu, 05/05/2011 - 09:00.

We are the professional

clothing manufacturer

 I just found this due to an

Submitted by Rakesh on Thu, 28/04/2011 - 11:17.

 I just found this due to an accident that one of m family member has encountered. I never wanted to happen this to others and I am so much aware what are the problems that most us will have.

 

Indoor Golf Simulator

exactlly..

Submitted by royalking on Sat, 07/05/2011 - 07:43.

Thanks for a marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you happen to be a great author.I will make certain to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back down the road. I want to encourage you to continue your great job, have a nice weekend! Home Automation || FHA Loans

Great moments

Submitted by logoonlinepros on Tue, 19/04/2011 - 09:02.

Such a great moments which i remind in my mind after read this lovely post.

Keep sharing your views and ideas which help women to show their abilities in this world.

Custom Logo Design | Professional Web Design Company USA

I wish you good luck on your

Submitted by deesydia on Fri, 15/04/2011 - 17:13.

I wish you good luck on your future endeavors! I hope that you will continue to reach out other women in need.

Dee - Woodworking Plans

Good Article

Submitted by Stallion on Thu, 09/06/2011 - 11:53.

Dank u voor de zinnige kritiek. Me en mijn buur troffen enkel voorbereidingen om wat onderzoek over dit te doen. Wij kregen een greep een boek van onze lokale bibliotheek maar ik denk ik meer van deze post leerde. Ik ben zeer blij om dergelijke grote informatie te zien daar vrij verdelend.Breastfeeding Dress

I could tell how great you

Submitted by taxrelief16 on Mon, 11/04/2011 - 20:35.

I could tell how great you are in your field of interest. You could relate in each detail very well. Thank you for spending a time on sharing such informative writings to us. I will bookmark your page and looking forward to read some more of your writings soon.

Tax Relief

There are so many developers

Submitted by somsak2499 on Wed, 13/04/2011 - 01:51.

There are so many developers working on this segment but this is one of the best innovative idea ever. Thanks for sharing it here. casino online proxy sites

It is nice to find a site about

Submitted by taxattorney62 on Mon, 11/04/2011 - 20:30.

the efforts you been putting on making your site such an interesting and informative place to browse through. I'll be visiting your site again to gather some more valuable information. You truly did a good job.

Tax Lawyer

..

Submitted by taxattorney74 on Mon, 11/04/2011 - 20:18.

Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research about this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more from this post. I am very glad to see such great information being shared freely out there.

IRS Tax Relief

 

I was very pleased to find

Submitted by samjohn1969 on Sun, 17/07/2011 - 17:39.

I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
Sam

  I just found this due to an

Submitted by asim on Sun, 03/04/2011 - 21:27.

  I just found this due to an accident that one of m family member has encountered. I never wanted to happen this to others and I am so much aware what are the problems that most us will have.write my essay