Data Feminism: What is it and why is needed?
In my previous post, I introduced the concept of big data, the importance of big data, the relationship of big data with statistics and the concept of GDPR. In this article, I will talk about the relationship between the concept of data, which is a broad topic, and feminism, that is, the concept of data feminism, and the purpose and importance of data feminism.
By Sibel Dinç
June 6, 2021
Tiny Intro: In my previous post, I introduced the concept of big data, the importance of big data, the relationship of big data with statistics and the concept of GDPR. In this article, I will talk about the relationship between the concept of data, which is a broad topic, and feminism, that is, the concept of data feminism, and the purpose and importance of data feminism.
Feminism: Starting with a smooth transition!
Feminism is essentially based on the principle that each individual has equal access to equal social, political, legal, and economic rights regardless of gender. It advocates the idea of equally distributing the available public power not only to male individuals but to all individuals. In order to achieve this, this awareness must be present in every field. In the field of "data science", which is considered to be the most valuable object of our age, studies on behalf of feminism should be done to reduce discrimination.
When we look at the history of feminism, we see that feminism has reached the present day in
three periods. The first period is the early period covering the struggle for votes in the 19th century. In the second period, women struggled for equal rights, after the suffrage struggle started to be a win in certain countries. After the last quarter of the 20th century, which was accepted as the last period, it was understood that the occupations of feminism included only certain women's groups and efforts were started to spread it over a wide area. When we came to 2017, with the Harvey Weinstein scandal, the eyes turned more intensely to the feminism movement again. However, as can be seen from this brief summary, there is still a long way to go.
Innocent Data! Who said data could not be feminist!
Speaking of the history of feminism, there are a lot of reason to move on. While human studies have been transferred to the digital environment, they have dragged people's bias and perceptions with them. From the sexist translations of
Google Translate to sexist responses in voice command services (Siri, Alexa, etc.), many discriminations in the digital environment have entered our lives with the digital age. Considering that existing technologies are man-made, it is clear that technologies are also shaped by the perceptions and biases of the people who design the technologies.
Trust me, as a senior statistician, I tell you that the data are used, and they are extremely innocent ☺
Data Feminism: Who is it for? Why is it necessary?
When I do research on Data Feminism, I would like to introduce you to two prominent researchers on this subject. Catherine D'lgnazio and Lauren F. Klein wrote the book "Data Feminism" in 2020, and after this highly attention-grabbing book, they have been the guest of many events and podcasts. The authors draw attention to the issue of manipulation of data with the statement “Data does not speak for themself”
in the book introduction article. In addition, they point out that the book can contribute to a fairer environment for feminism, and in this respect, they will offer important strategies to both feminists and data scientists who direct their focus to this field. In the book, the authors also focus on what data feminism does with power, who has that power, and what power is possessed. At this point, data science is seen as a tool, and both reveal the current situation and helps to plan the actions to be taken.
“Data Feminism is for everyone” is the strongest statement in the
authors' manifesto of Data Feminism, here the writers clarify that this movement is not linked to one gender. Data feminism is for anyone at a disadvantage. As is known, all discrimination feeds on each other and it is a big mistake to handle and evaluate them separately.
Systematic discrimination occurs between groups when
power is not evenly distributed. In this context, the segment holding power in the field of digital technologies is an elite, typically portrayed by heterosexual, straight, white, able-bodied, cisgender men. The essence of the matter, and the means to resolve these problems, is the even distribution of power. The underlying reason for each type of discrimination is that the side that is in power wants to withhold their position and then intimidates the side that has no access to power with various pressure factors.
The fact that data can be used for certain purposes in line with the interests of the government shows that the data should be processed and controlled in the right hands, otherwise it is quite open to manipulation. For this reason, data feminism is necessary for a more just, free, strong and healthy society.
Last News: Events, Podcasts and Books in the Data Feminism Field
On this topic, many events have been held. You can find the next event from this link 🡪 Data Feminism by Spread the Word, June 2021 (Free) (Eventbrite)
Podcasts on data feminism and related topics 🡪 Data Feminism Podcasts by Lauren F. Klein and Catherine D’Ignazio (link)
Data Feminism Reading Group Videos (Former) (link)
In addition, these books can get your attention:
- Data Feminism by Catherine D’Ignazio and Lauren F. Klein, 2020 (amazon)
- Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez, 2020 (amazon)
Next Post: In my next post, I will introduce the 7 principles of data feminism by touching on the concept of Data Feminism a little more.
Sibel Dinç is ongoing at King's College London in Big Data in Culture & Society MA program. She worked as a research assistant in Turkey. She is interested in social media studies. She takes an active role in The Institute for Internet and Just Society as a researcher.
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