On Wed, 2005-08-24 at 09:47, Abhijit Menon-Sen wrote:

> > Suggestions about what to do next:


> No, I think it's imperative that people stop associating the idea of
> encouraging women to participate with yet-another-talk about "how to
> encourage women to participate".
> 
> I think we should try instead to figure out whom we can invite to talk
> about something that doesn't just become a freak sideshow attraction.

> What are women using Linux for? What interests them? If we talk about
> those things, then they might be encouraged to participate.

Indeed, if I felt that I would be treated as just another human being
with an interest in FLOSS, I would feel encouraged- I (or any other
woman) would dislike being looked at as the 'freak' who decided to be
there...

> 
> > c) Changing, or rather adding to the guidelines of the LUG posting
> > methods/rules.
> 
> Heh. I just noticed that the guidelines say:
> 
>     "Be polite [...] No one minds a little sense of humour though."

Also, how about adding a link to the HOW TO ENCOURAGE WOMEN IN LINUX
which I sent in my earlier posting? At least that might indicate to
members that the list has at least thought about making things
woman-friendly.

I find it very interesting and telling that when the thread was being
general, there were many posts to and fro- defensive and offensive. But
after I have requested people to go through the HOW TO- nobody, nobody
has responded to that (is it useful? Can they think of applying any of
those to the delhi LUG?.)
 Does it say something about the seriousness of those who said that they
want feedback from a woman? That HOW TO is written by a whole lot of
women. 

Hassath


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