New Publication Hightlight: WLP Manual Makes "IT" Our Own

Making IT Our Own: Information & Communication Technology Training of Trainers Manual, Women’s Learning Partnership’s newest publication, seeks to improve the technology skills of women activists and to introduce ways in which Information Technology (IT) can be used for human rights and women’s rights advocacy. Intended for use in information & communication technology (ICT) training workshops and training-of-trainer institutes, the Manual encourages activists to establish ownership of ICTs so that women can be both consumers of information and producers of knowledge.

Making IT Our Own takes an assemble-your-own approach to training by providing the necessary components—guidelines for participatory facilitation, step-by-step 'how to's for each technology tool, resources on CD, and an assortment of pre-assembled agendas so that the Manual can be easily customized to suit the cultural and technical requirements of any community. The Manual uses scenarios to contextualize ICT use in everyday life, explore issues related to gender and technology, and facilitate participation in advocacy campaigns that help empower women.

The Manual was tested and adapted in ICT training sessions held in cooperation with Afghan Institute of Learning, Afghanistan; Collective for Research and Training on Development-Action, Lebanon; and Sisterhood Is Global Institute/Jordan. It focuses on gaining fluency in the following technology tools: Web 2.0 applications such as social networks and blogs; office productivity software such as word processing and spreadsheets; internet tools such as RSS feeds and conference chat; and skills that ensure online privacy and security.

Click here to purchase the manual.