Hewlett Funding for Open Heroines: An Integrated Approach to Gender Data

Later this month, we’ll be attending the International Open Data Conference (IODC) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We’re eager to interact with the global open data community, share examples of openness in action through our Tanzania Water Point Mapping System (WPMS) in a Spotlight session, and continue to hone in ensuring data reflects the needs of women and all citizens – as this year, we’ll be joined by an innovative, talented group of women from around the world dedicated to a more gender-focused and inclusive open data community.

Made possible by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, DG is pleased to the financial holder of travel grants that are supporting a selected group of women to join us at IODC. In doing so, we’ve partnered with the Open Heroines network, an online group of women in open government, civic tech, and open data that is driving the facilitation of each grant award. This group of women will bring its unique perspective to IODC’s gender-focused sessions, and will participate in events hosted by the Open Heroines network – including full day of pre-events on gender and data and the Open Heroines Do-A-Thon on September 26th.

This partnership with Hewlett and Open Heroines is representative of DG’s continued focus on pursuing evidence-based, gender-focused development interventions. We know that integration of ICTs cannot succeed unless technology policy is designed and created by women, with women in mind. Through this grant, we look forward to building synergistic partnerships with other women and gender-focused organizations to achieve the shared goal of making technology truly transformative. 

We’re committed to making IODC more collaborative, inclusive, and impactful for both DG and the wider open data community, and we hope you are too. We’ll see you in Buenos Aires!