Campaigns to End Violence against Women and Girls - Virtual ...

Mobile phones in campaigns – examples from Africa
– EASSI Women’s Day SMS Campaign. As part of EASSI (Eastern African Subregional
Support Initiative for the Advancement of Women) campaigning around
International Women’s Day in 2008, the Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET)
used SMS to send campaign messages and updates on campaign issues to people
who subscribed to this free service. The goal was to raise awareness on violations of
girl’s rights linked to the post-election violence in Kenya. Between 22 February and
14 March 2008, subscribers received daily SMS briefs on the human rights situation
of girls in Kenya, the peace process and messages such as "Leaders should know
that even the girl child can spearhead peace-making if given the chance.” All SMS
sent out during the campaign were also posted on the WOUGNET blog.
– SMS petitioning: The first mobile-phone based petition in Africa was devised by
Fahamu and Solidarity with African Women's Rights (SOAWR) in 2004 to build public
support for the ratification of the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa, a key
regional instrument for the protection of women’s rights. Supporters of the campaign
were encouraged to text the word “Petition” and their names to be added to the list of
petition signatories. Incoming messages were converted to e-mail; an up-to-date list
of signatories was displayed on the campaign website. In addition to SMS and a
dedicated website, the Pambazuka newsletter by Fahamu updated subscribers on
the petition.
Overall, the Fahamu/ SOWAR campaign collected over 4,000 signatures from 29
countries, with roughly 10% (a few less than 450 persons) that submitted their
signatures by SMS. Despite the seemingly low number of overall signatories, the
campaign was considered to have successfully contributed to the ratification of the
Protocol by at least 15 countries within one year. Using the innovative SMS technology
arguably contributed to attracting attention to the campaign.
The book SMS Uprising: Mobile Activism in Africa, (Ekine, S., 2010) is available free of
charge to African NGOs (email: info@pambazukapress.org). It provides a detailed
discussion and additional examples as to how African activists have used mobile phone
technology in campaigning.
GUIDANCE ON E-CAMPAIGNING: RELEVANT LINKS
� The APC (Association for Progressive Communications) Women’s Network
Support Programme (site in English, French and Spanish) offers guidance on a
range of internet tools and training materials, as well as assistance with the
internet component of campaigns or programmes.
� The Feminist Tech exchange (English, French and Spanish) includes several
guides on mobile technology and social media tools for advocacy, the on-line
tutorial Grrrls Guides to Tech and regular updates on relevant activities.
� Gender IT available in English and Spanish, has a special section of resources
and updates on violence against women, which shows not only how information
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Campaigns December 2011