Editorial.

How do women share knowledge? The Know How conference held in Kampala in July 2002 addressed this issue in detail, from the use of ICTs to traditional communication methods. While there was enthusiasm about the impact of ICTs on African women, there were also calls for more emphasis to be placed on communication methods that are adaptable to the needs of African women. In preparation for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), there have been debates on ICTs and their impact on gender relations. A strong message from the Know How conference, to be carried to the WSIS in Geneva in December 2003, is that ICTs have become a potent force in transforming social, economic and political spheres. It is therefore imperative to ensure that women in Africa understand the significance of ICTs and use them. It is also essential that gender be considered early in the process of introducing ICTs to African countries so that gender concerns can be incorporated from the beginning. As African women in organised civil society, we need to get involved in the development of national information and communications policies with an emphasis on the right to communicate, universal access and low cost extension services to rural areas. We need to push the debate based on the principle that the right to communicate is a universal human right which underpins and serves all other human rights. This right is central to the creation of an information society.

The control of women's sexuality is a critical element of patriarchy In traditional communities, once the connection between reproduction and the male was discovered, the need to own and control women's reproductive capacity as well as the fruits of her womb became an integral part of male "being". And awe of female sexuality and fertility exist and persist in many communities. This is obvious from examining the range of traditional, cultural practices, customs and religious injunctions that keep women's sexuality under control.

In more recent times, discussions about sexuality have become focused on "alternative" sexual practices. Sexuality has become synonymous with lesbianism, despite the fact that the concept of sexuality encompasses a wide range of sexual behaviour and practices that are "alternative", including that of the single women, widows, etc. As African women we are divided over both women's sexuality and lesbianism. We have therefore presented some ideas for further discussions in this...