HI colleagues Cybercrime against the person and in this case the woman is real and is rising . unfortunately, all the efforts to understand the vice focuses on the cyber crime against property and against governments . the only other notable effort against the person is against the child. While cyberspace have provided secure tools and spaces where women can enjoy their freedom of expression, information and privacy of communication, the same benefits of anonymity and privacy also extend to those who employ ICTs for criminal activities and use the internet to commit violence against women. The use of mobile phones and internet to stalk, abuse, traffic, intimidate and humiliate women is palpable in developing countries including Kenya. The lack of specific cybercrime/cyber security legislation makes it even more difficult to punish those who use ICTs tools to conduct violence against women. Kenya Communications ( Amendment) Act 2009 focused on the cybercrime against property and not the person. Kenya is not alone but that is not a consolation. With increased use of internet in Kenya with the onset of broadband, it is necessary to create the necessary policy / regulatory and the operational framework to reign in the vice . KICTANET has launched a study on the vice whose research questions are; 1. What is the prevalence of cybercrime against women in terms of degree, level, quantity, and distribution? 2. How does cyber crime affect women differently? (Demonstrate spiral effect and determine if women are already intimidated by cyber space e.g. mailing lists, how active do women participate in debates? Is the design of the cyber already woman unfriendly?) 3. What are the current measures and gaps (technological, legal, social, and psychological) to address cyber crime against women (local, regional, and global)? Map the efforts (lessons of best practice). 4. What mechanisms are appropriate for addressing cyber crime against women? Kictanet will mount a validation workshop to review literature as well as the research strategy on Feb 16th, 2010 If you wish to contribute to make the cyberspace safer for women , we have limited spaces(free) for Kictanet members at the workshop- send your request for space OFFLINE not to clog the mailing list. Cheers Muriuki Mureithi