ICT4Dignity : Our vision (en)

We are engaged to support any action related to ICT for Dignity in a perspective of sustainable development and solidarity among peoples of the world.

We are convinced of the necessity to fight against:

  • Any discrimination based on gender issues or on sexual orientation;
  • Any kind of cyber violence, in particular against children and women;
  • Offensive and illegal contents, misrepresentation of women, hard pornography, child pornography…;
  • Human trafficking and prostitution facilitated by ICT.

We are convinced of the necessity to:

  • Increase appropriate content and access to ICT infrastructure and services;
  • Develop awareness and educational programs related to ICT and to Equal Opportunity approaches;
  • Foster ICT to sustain and support dignity in cyberspace and in real life;
  • Increase equal opportunity actions through cyberspace and promote equality between women and men in all domains and activities;
  • Reinforce social and economic development of women by ICT.
  • Protect digital privacy, personal data, the right of freedom of movement and of expression through ICT and cyberspace.

We recognize that the digital ecosystem features opportunities and challenges for women all around the world. These include:

  • Opportunities to empower women in developed and developing countries;
  • Challenges in mastering the risks of misuses, misappropriation and unfair practices in relation to issues concerning women and society;
  • Challenges in providing access, services and contents that improve women’s lives, health and well-being.

We proclaim our respect for and commitment to the values expressed in the United Nations Charter (June 26, 1945) and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (December 10, 1948).

We are active in several national and international initiatives related to all these issues; in particular in the fight against cybercrime and cyberviolence, in risk management, in equal opportunity actions, in child online protection initiatives, and in cybersecurity and privacy issues. We encourage and support the efforts of the International Telecommunication Union to help girls and young women prepare for and pursue a career in technology (http://www.itu.int/en/action/women/Pages/default.aspx).

We contribute to defining appropriate mechanisms that contribute to foster, enhance and enforce:

  • Fundamental human rights and dignity in cyberspace and in real life;
  • Peace, justice and security in cyberspace and in real life.

Solange Ghernaouti – Switzerland, May 2012.