Cheekay Cinco
I’m mostly self-taught in the ways of the tech though I did take formal classes on web development and design in university (back in 1995, when the web was new to the Philippines). As I began my work in activism, I found myself led towards tasks that had to do with information and communication technologies (web management for a regional feminist network, database development for a regional women’s organisation, etc.).
Slowly, I discovered that aside from the joy of developing a kick-ass site that people actually use, I derived the most pleasure in training other feminists and activists in strategic technology use and appropriation. I had the fortune of being given opportunities to volunteer for various training initiatives for activists — and in all of those experiences, I found myself applying feminist values in how I conducted myself as a trainer.
So I woke up one day and realised, “yeah, I am a feminist tech trainer”, which remains, to this day, one of the best days of my life.
To me, at the core of feminist practices and politics of technologies, is women’s control over the technologies that are relevant to them. That ranges from having control over how the technology is developed to how policies are made that define how we can use and benefit from technologies.
As a trainer, feminist practices and politics of technologies is key. It shapes how we conduct training that facilitates empowerment and gives women better control over how they appropriate technologies.
I try to have as much fun as possible. Very often, the idea that women only use technologies that are relevant to the ‘serious’ aspects of their lives (work, family) is stressed. But as a feminist and a tech-nerd, I’ve discovered the value of fun in learning — and that this aspect of our lives as women must not be removed from our experience of technology.
At the same time, I will always try to stress strategic and tactical use and appropriation of technologies. To me, this includes confronting the difficult / technical aspects of technologies in ways that allow for more control instead of paralysing the user.
And I hope that my enthusiasm for tech and feminism will always come through and, at the very least, entertain participants into learning :-)
