We could only have the Internet that we enjoy nowadays with women. We’re familiar with the founders who created internet technology Internet. However, as it is true that the Internet is a collaborative effort, the creation of it was, as well. In a sector that typically isn’t gender-balanced, It is essential to recognize women’s vital contribution to the internet’s past and present.
Internet “Herstory”
Women are more than just users or late adopters. There are many pioneers. They’re at the core of the Internet that we all know and love today, regardless of whether we know their names. However, this doesn’t negate the immense work done by those who created the foundation, maintained it, and kept growing the Internet. It’s a way to highlight the numerous heroines that are not well-known.
The story of the Internet would not have been possible without women. Women aren’t only users or late adopters. There are many pioneers. They’re at the core of the Internet that we all know and love today, regardless of whether we know their names. However, this doesn’t negate the immense work done by those who created the foundation, maintained it, and kept growing the Internet. It’s a way to highlight the numerous heroines that are not well-known.
Women and the Internet Today
Like they’ve been since the first packet-switching research paper was published, women are still vital as engineers, user specialists, and social Internet pioneers.
As a critical element of our mission to improve the Internet, we create community networks and exchanges that attract more users and increase connectivity. Many of these initiatives are run and developed by women.
The Women Building Tomorrow’s Internet
There are many brilliant women within our community of members who continue the long history of Internet development and management. Many have gone through our workshops and fellowship programs to become the Internet leaders of the future.
In 2023, The Internet Society held a course on the island of Mali about the basics of Digital Deployment Computer Networks (DDCN). The training allowed qualified young women such as Aminata Helene Dakouo and Oumou Doumbia to stay for six weeks and gain hands-on knowledge and experience, a key to securing their first postgraduate jobs. These women are now in the Internet of the future, prepared to create and safeguard an open global Internet and generate an impact in their local communities and the world beyond.
The Internet has unrivaled potential, and we’re ready to make it happen. Fellowships for young and mid-job professionals, youth ambassador programs, IETF policymaker fellowships, and regular training and online learning courses put a group of alumni—women and men alike—at the forefront of training Internet future leaders.
Humans created the Internet for people to allow us to communicate and connect across boundaries and divisions. Evans explained perfectly as she began her novel’s introduction: “Without the human touch, current may run, but the signal stops. We give it meaning, and in that meaning, likes its worth.”
As we observe International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the Internet, which is a result of women and will endure over time as women constantly evolve the technology, allowing it to create and maintain communities of individuals.
