Balata Women's Internet Centre

Internet access might appear irrelevant to the standard image of Palestinian life, but in reality digital technology plays an increasingly central role in the male environment. Many men come into contact with the internet on a daily basis: chatting with people from around the world, reading news, sending emails, downloading music etc. Yet as male technological literacy in Balata Camp grows, a digital divide is opening up along gender lines.

The women of Balata play an integral and vital role in the steadfastness of camp life. Yet it is difficult for them to enter the all-male internet cafes, and where domestic internet access exists it is generally dominated by the men of the family. Bringing the potential of the internet to connect to the outside world, open up new spaces of communication and share information to women is vital. It can challenge their isolation and enable them to raise their voices both in their own community and to the world.

Creating a women-only space providing internet access will both satisfy the restrictions places on female interaction with men, and provide a space where they are free from interference and pressure from male presence. The space will be used for computer trainings and media workshops. Apart from individuals, both the Balata Women's Research Group and the Balata Film Collective will utilise it.

A survey is currently being carried out by the Balata Women's Research Group to collect data on the most convenient location, space, opening times and further background to increase accessibility. It will certainly be placed well inside the camp, within the maze of alleyways. Internet usage will be cheap enough to be accessible to all residents of the camp.

A sustainable source has already been found to donate rent money. However, as of now we have no equipment. We need: computers (Pentium II or faster, laptops or desktops), monitors, printers etc. All donations of equipment are useful, whether old or new, many or few.

Once we have collected four computers, we will open the Balata Women's Internet Centre, and expand as more arrive.