Snow Day!

Woke up today and it was raining and getting colder, so I decided to make it an online day. I settled in for the first of five 1 1/2 hour sessions from the comfort of my hotel room. First, I learned about a foundation helping to save billions of dollars in India with updated technical infrastructure and by establishing mini science centers for girls to learn STEM trades; a group in Indonesia providing training-- even electric scooters so that girls can venture out of their homes for delivery jobs, thereby cementing their place in the family as (quite often) the main breadwinner in the family. While this is a major step, ther are still plenty of social barriers to break down before women can enjoy real equality. 

 Next session we heard from a variety of experts warning of the hazards women and girls face when entering the digital landscape. 33% fewer women and girls use internet than men and boys 33% of Women and girls vs 11% of males. Sexual harassment is under reported To fight sexual harassment, steps must be taken: Educate girls and boys to Recognize it for what it is; Document it ;Report it ; Pass comprehensive laws against it Artificial Intelligence needs developers who represent diversity of the world population to avoid skewed algorithms Over and over we heard cases of boys having access to devices and internet over girls. The horse is already out of the barn. How do we even begin to regulate it now? 

 There are those who believe the faith community can help to work toward bringing groups together for peace. But faith is a double edged sword when it comes to technology and gender based violence. Faith groups learned new ways of reaching people during COVID, but the internet is also a breeding ground for hate speech and misinformation. Civil society looking for change should not wait for church leaders to initiate change, but advocate from within. Youth and women should be at the forefront! 

 I was especially touched by a short video sent from an indigenous woman of the Amazon who pleaded for help in fighting the destruction of their Mother- the forest. A sheikh religious leader spoke of the need to not only teach compassion and equality, but teach children to learn FROM faith, not about faith- to have an intrinsic appreciation for virtue. 

 The best takeaway from a session entitled Sacred Activism was by a young female computer engineer from Uganda who said of emerging cultures "When women learn, women matter and then everything changes". My favorite session of the day was a panel hosted by UN Women that included the Director of US Technical Education who shed light on the issues they faced during COVID and plans to mitigate the problems going forward. A professor at the University of New Mexico who worked with indigenous populations and online opportunities ; and a young woman working with young women from around the world encouraging them to go into technical fields through her program called "U Code GIRL" This exciting session offered immediate, hands-on opportunities that we can take home for immediate implementation! Get ready, you'll all be hearing from me! 

 Finally, today would have been my mother's 93rd birthday. I really think she's here with me in spirit- she was an agent for change in so many ways. Thanks, Mom!