Fatima Bhyat
I worked at a non-profit Internet Service Provider, back in the days when
the Internet was still very young. Since it was all quite new, it was necessary to train the NGO community (our user base) on how to use this new technology i.e Email, FTP etc. So that is where my technology training began. Although actually it probably started before that, when I first started working . The company has just moved to being computerised and I assisted the PAs that used typewriters to move to using computers and using a word processor. Yes, I’ve just given away my age.
For me feminist practices is about taking technology and tailoring it’s use to suit the needs of women and the communities they serve. There is no
reason why we need to limit ourselves to practising the use of technology in a specific and rigid way. We all know that women are creative and as
women we can best demonstrate the use of a technology to fit and suit our
own needs.
As for the politics of technology, I dont’ see technology as having any
politics. It’s more the issue of access to the technology and the politics
surrounding that. I’m happy to be involved in supporting and promoting
access to technology for women in whatever way I can.
I don’t like to use labels to describe myself. I think labels can misrepresent
who we are and can sometimes set limitations
I would best describe myself as somebody that isn’t a hardcore technologist but rather somebody that enjoys using technology to make a positive difference. Where I believe in a particular technology I will champion its uses and benefits.
As a trainer I prefer to train as part of a team. Although I’m equally happy to work on my own. I enjoy the interactive aspects of a training and believe that every training is about learning and growing. And that isn’t just for the
recipients of the training but also for the trainers themselves.
