Esha Brijmohan:The use of ICT’s during my writing has been more beneficial than not. The easy accessibility of information off the Internet was convenient and allowed me to focus more time on fine-tuning my essay. The use of ICT’s has made me aware of gender policies and my rights as a woman, at the click of a mouse button. Previously, women only knew of what they learned in newspapers, magazines, radio and television. Today, we can access information written by women from all over the world. This has been very motivational and empowering for me as I realised from articles posted by women online that I’m not alone when dealing with my own problems. However, there is a downside. While researching my topic, it became frustrating that many articles were based on opinion and not fact and sometimes I would have to read through pages of advertising jargon before finding two lines of information I required. Being part of this Writing project has made me more efficient in my workplace as I am now more streetwise when it comes to using ICT tools and I am also aware of how easy it is to access information no matter what the topic is.
Kathleen Nthabiseng Monareng:In my experience using new technology information systems has its challenges. I find using computers very useful as they are fast and can automatically correct and edit my work properly. For me, the challenges come from the unreliability of emails. Sometimes you can send information, only to find out that it did not go through and sometimes you receive emails and miss others, which then delayed my work. Apart from those challenges, my experience is that ICT’s, such as the internet, mobile phones and faxes, make communications faster.
Isabel Sparrow:After my research and the Writing project I cannot imagine returning to life before there was email and the internet. In my generation, research was done at the library and very often I went home empty handed. Then I became a student again and everybody was talking about internet sites and engines and chat rooms where people LOL’ed (laughed out loud). With trepidation, I ventured into this new territory of surfing the air waves. Distances proved no obstacle for the Writing project as during my research my mentor accepted a six-month secondment to Michigan, USA, which caused little interruption to my research because of our use of emails. ICT’s, once again, proved an effective tool for communication when ‘e-talk’ sessions were arranged so that I could log on and chat to other writers. This was my first encounter with a ‘chat room’ and I still find it quite daunting. Nevertheless it is an effective vehicle for women – separated by great distances – to voice and share opinions. The only problem I encountered was that I type slowly and by the time I was ready, the discussion had changed a number of times.
Denise Buiten:Information and communication technologies have become integral to the ways in which I write and conduct research. Increasingly, academic work is available through electronic sources, and I use these frequently, effectively extending the scope of my research beyond the borders of my own university library. I have also used the Internet to access research documents from organizations within South Africa such as Genderlinks, and have used Sabinet to search for appropriate newspaper articles from a variety of South African publications and time periods. I use online dictionaries, encyclopedias and thesauruses each time I write or conduct research, to gain an overview or a better understanding of certain concepts, as well as to choose and check the appropriate vocabulary for what I am trying to convey. Finally, and importantly, I have used email to effectively remain in touch with my mentor and supervisor, who reside in Cape Town and Pretoria respectively.
Michelle Matthey:"I think I was inspired to talk about my construction of my identity because there was a forum to publish that I didn't have before. I had done something on identity issues before, but I didn't know there was a place to publish, otherwise I don't think I would have written it... I think it's actually broken that barrier that I had about trying to get published before because of the review processes and the critical analysis of my work. There is so much stress about getting work published and it almost paralyses you before it actually begins and when the pressure is on, you don't know what to do. Having this first piece done has given more confidence and made me want to write more.
I was a bit anxious and also quite excited when I started the project because I imagined there would be the support and feedback. I was anxious because I knew people would be talking about the writing and looking at my writing. I think Agenda is empowering women by publishing critical issues that women throughout the country experience. I feel empowered because, by sharing women's particular experiences and by role modeling other women, the fact that there are women out there with powerful voices makes women like myself feel like I have something to say as well... I think it's a sense of community that's developed... and it has alerted me to a lot of gender issues that I wasn't aware of before."
Sihle Hlatswayo:
"My piece on female infertility was one of the problems I saw growing up around me. I saw women had problems having kids and I had someone close to me, my aunt with this problem. I think my mentor (Wendy Knowler) helped me feel empowered, I respect her so much and I loved her work. I learned a lot from her. It also helped to meet with other writers and when we met I got to know things I didn't know before, like sharing problems... that helped. I will continue writing and publishing, at the moment I'm still a junior writer but I'm hoping to grow.
At first I was nervous because it was something new, because I didn't know how to write academically, and it was very challenging trying to write something in a new form than what I usually do. I thought it was too big for me, but I took up the challenge.
I think it's important that all women can relate to the topics they find in the journal, and that it goes to a wide audience, it goes all over, to all races."
Thembani Dladla:
My article about the maintenance courts probably comes from the personal experiences and it taught me to just write and tell other women what is happening. It's not a matter of just claiming money but going through difficulties and gender discrimination at various stages. I feel like I can be the best writer in the world. I'm really inspired and even wish to write more and publish more. It's been my wish all these years and I was waiting for the platform and waiting for someone to help me and encourage my writing.
I was scared and had a lot of fears. I didn't know where to start... I started more than three times on that piece and didn't know how to put it away... when I decided to write about my own experiences and not in an academic form... it was and is so therapeutic, I was so angry before but after that I feel peace. I spoke to the audience and told them what it is really happening... what we are going through as mothers trying to fund our children at University with no help from their fathers. I was impressed with the project and I wish it could be extended to other languages, the Nguni languages, so people can write their own experiences and have those translated... so we can reach the rural areas more often."
Benita Moolman:
"Working in the field of violence against women and wanting to explore the complexity of power inspired my article on rape in the Cape Flats. My writing now is about acknowledging a different part of me, an added strength that I can explore. I want to start writing more, and it's definitely something I'm going to explore because of the article. Before the project I didn't even acknowledge my writing and it wasn't something I gave any attention and detail to... it wasn't something that I valued. I wasn't feeling comfortable with my writing before. I think this project helps women by encouraging them to explore the parts of themselves that have more often than not been denied. It's not just about writing in terms of ability, but also personal growth and healing which is an added benefit."
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Participants Responses | 
