Definition
Feminist tech policy analyses existing social power relationships from an intersectional lens, and foregrounds equity and justice.
Digital policy is social policy.
Tech policy was never just an issue of tech: tech has impacts on the environment, on our society, on education, welfare and so much more. It impacts social issues, such as accessibility, participation, sustainability and equity. To ensure that tech policy is affecting society in just and equitable ways, we need an intersectional feminist approach to understanding those impacts: this means that we analyse tech policy by asking ‘who does this affect’ and ‘who is left out?’
Feminist tech policy is part of a paradigm shift: Away from “higher, further, faster” to “more sustainable, equitable, people-centred”.
Digital policy is social policy!
Digital policy is social policy!
Digital policy is social policy!
Digital policy is social policy!
Digital policy is social policy!
Digital policy is social policy!
Digital policy is social policy!
Digital policy is social policy!
Digital policy is social policy!
Digital policy is social policy!
Digital policy is social policy!
Case studies
WHY DO WE NEED FEMINIST TECH POLICY?
When we think about tech today, it’s often only within an economic context: It serves as an instrument to ‘optimise’ processes and reduce costs. But such narratives ignore sociopolitical dimensions – the ways in which those efficiencies might have other impacts on society or the planet. If we allow digitisation to only be designed in service of efficiency and capitalism, we risk ignoring the impacts on the climate, on communities who have already been marginalised or sidelined by existing approaches, and much more.
The consequence: historically marginalised groups are already negatively impacted by existing social structures and norms. Feminist tech policy offers the opportunity to actively counteract those negative impacts and contribute to righting historical wrongs. If we don’t think about tech policy from an intersectional feminist lens, we risk not only perpetuating existing patterns of discrimination and inequity, but also consolidating and reinforcing the very patterns we’re trying to work against.
WHAT DOES FEMINIST TECH POLICY DO?
Our aim is to create futures that are characterised by accessibility, active participation, sustainability and equity. By applying an intersectional feminist approach, we are capable of looking and thinking beyond existing narratives and structures.
Feminist digital policy examines digitisation macro-socially and analyses discriminatory patterns and power structures.
Feminist digital policy examines digitisation macro-socially and analyses it with respect to discriminatory patterns and power structures. It looks critically at whether technology is used appropriately and practically.
Feminist digital policy delivers context-based solution approaches. These contexts are subject to change, and so the solution approaches also need to be continuously evaluated.
Feminist digital policy is a (learning) process and not an agenda.
Feminist digital policy is a policy of nuances. It is uncomfortable because it does not offer easy solutions, and it is honest because it actively points out the gaps.
Feminist digital policy is a (learning) process and not an agenda. There are no simple answers to the complex challenges posed by digitisation – ongoing demands and promises can never really be fulfilled.
HOW MIGHT FEMINIST TECH POLICY WORK?
In the years since we first started this site, there have many new and exciting approaches to ‘doing’ feminist tech policy. We offer our approach as one contribution to that body of work.
We think of the process behind feminist tech policy as being within three levels: Global, Social, and Systemic.
Global
Digital policy projects in Germany or the EU almost always have global impacts or even have a specific (often colonialist) claim of being globally effective. Additionally, they are planned and implemented in a post-colonial context, allowing Europe to profit from its dominant position. This is why digital policy actors should always evaluate their actions within a global context, support solidarity and ensure that power imbalances are acknowledged and made visible, with proper accountability mechanisms in place.
Social
The consequences of digitisation must be evaluated for the entire society–within the context of existing inequalities. Based on this, decision-makers should prioritise measures that benefit those who are most negatively affected by the impacts of digitisation. This process, orientated along the guideline “from the margins to the centre”, necessitates continuous checks, reflection and modifications.
Systemic
Judiciary and executive power structures must be critically examined and must not be strengthened by digital policy projects. This is why safety mechanisms must be installed to counteract any expansion of power, surveillance measures and the weakening of fundamental rights.
HOW DO WE GET THERE
Feminist digital policy aims to shape desirable futures in which society itself is not digitally transformed, but where digitisation contributes towards social-ecological transformation.
By influencing discursive change
We are working on ensuring that digital policy is viewed as it should be: As a civil and equitable challenge.
Opening up political processes
We are working towards a clear acknowledgement by political decision-makers that they will actively include civil society organisations in their expert committees and open up consultation processes for civil society actors.
Ensuring that necessary expertise is properly valued and integrated
We aim to promote continuous exchange of knowledge between policymakers, and civil society actors who bring both necessary expertise and lived experience of the challenges at hand. All too often, civil society is only brought in for a late-stage consultation, instead of at a much earlier stage where input can really be impactful; or, lived experience is not valued as much as it should be.