Women, 
The PfA identified the need for access, training and network development for women. Chapter J, "Women and the Media", specified that:
Women should be empowered by enhancing their skills, knowledge and
access to the information technology. This will strengthen their
ability to combat negative portrayals of women internationally and
to challenge instances of abuse of power of an increasingly
important industry... Women therefore need to be involved in
decision-making regarding the development of the new technologies
in order to participate fully in their growth and impact. [29]
The Platform called on international organizations, Governments,
media systems, NGOs and media professional organizations to increase the
participation and access of women to expression and decision-making in
and through the media and new technologies of communication.
Concerned about the image of women projected in the media,
participants at the FWCW agreed that "print and electronic media in most
countries do not provide a balanced picture of women's diverse lives and
contributions to society in a changing world." [30] The PfA called for a
"balanced portrayal of women and girls in their multiple roles" and
encouraged the "use of non-stereotyped, balanced and diverse images of
women in the media". [31]
The PfA also requested the mass media and advertising
organizations "to develop, consistent with freedom of expression,
professional guidelines and codes of conduct and other forms of self-
regulation to promote the presentation of non-stereotyped images of
women" and "that address violent, degrading or pornographic materials
concerning women ... ".[32]
At its fortieth session, in March 1996, the United Nations
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the main intergovernmental body
focusing on women, and delegates, experts and NGOs examined the measures
proposed in the PfA and agreed that advances in information technology
had opened up boundaries. It was agreed that the role of women in global
communication networks needed to be strengthened, and that barriers to
information technology and to women's involvement at every level of its
development should be reduced. [33] These conclusions were subsequently
endorsed by the Economic and Social Council.
Notably, several organizations and bodies held meetings in this
field in preparation for the Beijing Conference. One important gathering
to assess strategies and plans for using electronic networking was held in
Bangkok from 12 to 17 February 1994. The "Women Empowering Communication"
conference was sponsored by the World Association for Christian
Communication (WACC) in association with ISIS International and the
International Women's Tribune Centre (IWTC). More than 400 women from
over 80 countries participated. As a result of the meeting, the Bangkok
Declaration was adopted, which emphasized strengthening women's
communication networks. [34]
UNESCO convened an international symposium on "Women and the Media:
access to expression and decision-making" in Toronto, Canada, from 28
February to 3 March 1995. A Platform for Action was adopted which stressed
the need for greater involvement of women in both the technical and
decision-making areas of communication and media. The symposium was
attended by over 170 media professionals from more than 70 countries, and
its results served as an important input to the negotiations on women and
the media at Beijing. Following the Conference, UNESCO and the Society for
International Development are studying the culture of the Internet and its
potential as an effective tool for women. The project, "Women and
Cyberculture", analyses the impact of globalized communications from a
gender perspective.
Sexual harassment is also identified in Chapter J of the PfA as one
of the acts of gender-based violence encompassed under the critical area
"Violence against women". On the Internet, harassment presents an
important issue for women. It has occurred in both public forums and
private E-mail. It takes different forms and can be subtle, such as
personal questions directed to a woman, or blatant, such as sexual
propositions to women via E-mail. [35] The Internet neutralizes social status
indicators such as appearance, voice, organizational hierarchy and often
sex. This anonymity seems to encourage certain individuals to act with
fewer inhibitions than they would face to face and remains a disturbing
problem.
Contents:
Women, the Information Revolution and the
Conclusions
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