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 16^th, 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