CSW53 Cyber Dialogues: Making Care Work Count

In 2006, the Gender and Media Southern Africa (GEMSA) Network launched a campaign in seven countries to raise awareness, recognition and support for informal care workers, particularly those providing home-based care for people living with HIV and AIDS. As part of this initiative, GEMSA will lead a team of journalists and activists to participate in the 2009 Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) focusing on care work.

In collaboration with various regional and global organisations, GEMSA will run three “cyber dialogues” during the 2009 CSW. The dialogues will bring the voices of local women (especially in Africa), to the conference, as well as share news and debates with them. The discussions will centre on key conference themes, as well as breaking news reported in the UNIFEM/GEMSA/GL conference newspaper (Daily Links @ CSW).

Cyber-dialogues Schedule

Date: 4 March 2009
Time: 15h00 - 17h00 (South African time)
Theme: The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including care-giving in the context of HIV/AIDS (CSW priority theme)

Date: 6 March 2009
Time: 15h00 - 17h00 (South African time)
Theme: The gender perspectives of the financial crisis (CSW emerging issue)

Date: 9 March 2009
Time: 15h00 - 17h00 (South African time)
Theme: Equal participation of women and men in decision-making processes at all levels (CSW review theme)

For more information visit: www.gemsa.org.za or contact Fortune Sibanda on network@gemsa.org.za; Tel: +27 11-622-6597, or Janine Morna on research@gemsa.org.za

• The first 15-20 minutes will review the news of the day and remainder of the chat will focus on the theme for the day. Experts in various fields will participate in the discussion and answer questions. 
• Given the limited time and resources, the discussions will be held in English.
• Please see below for instructions on how to participate in a cyber dialogue.

Instructions on using Cyber Dialogues

How to chat
To join the cyber dialogues you need to register in the Gender links chat room. Go to www.genderlinks.org.za.

Instructions for registration and logging in are as follows:

First time registration:

1. Click on the Cyber dialogues in the middle of the wheel or on the top menu bar.
2. Click on the Gender Links Chat.
3. Once there you will see a login screen. Move down and click on register.
4. Complete all the registration details. Write down your login and password and click REGISTER.
5. You will return to the login page, now type in your login and password and click LOGIN.
6. Select the room you want to chat in.

Logging in (for people who have registered before)

1. Click on the Cyber dialogues in the middle of the wheel or on the top menu bar.
2. Click on the Gender Links Chat.
3. Once there you will see a login screen.
4. Fill in your login and password and click on LOGIN.
5. Select the room you want to chat in.

Follow the login instructions at the equivalent time to 9 am in New York time (for example in Johannesburg this will be 4 pm; in Nairobi 5pm and in Mauritius 6pm). Please check what time this is in your country to avoid dissapointment. Please note that you can log on at any time during the one hour period from 9 am to 10 am New York time.

Preparation for the Cyber Dialogue

1. Read the daily newspaper and factsheets: On the GEMSA website, you will find links to the Daily Links @ CSW, addressing conference issues. You will also find factsheets relating to the theme for the day.

2. Have a real chat: Get together with a group of people and have a live chat where you work, or where you can find access, before or after the start of the global Internet link up

3. Make your voice count: Vote in the poll question each day on the website

4. Post a message on the bulletin board: At any time of the day from 2-9th March, you can post a message on the bulletin board by going to the chat website.

5. Read a summary of the day's discussion: Later each day, you can read a summary of the day's discussion by going to the summary section of the GEMSA website. 

Your Role

We are kindly requesting you to:

• Secure facilities for us within your institution for the 3 cyber dialogues. These facilities should have computers that are connected to the internet. A GEMSA country facilitator in your country will get in touch with you in order to help you with the invitations for people to come to the dialogues.
• Invite fellow trainers, students and members of civil society to come and join each of the chats.
• In order to be able to show others how the chat works, you will need to register and log in beforehand so that you are familiar with the simple technology. A GEMSA facilitator in your country can also help.
• Finally, please pass this note on to others within your network. This is especially for those of you who are in touch with news wire services, or have access to distribution lists like SANGONeT, etc.