What the App? is the place for unfiltered opinions on a gender equality learning app. Here everyone that is interested in making the world more equal is welcome to have a say. Because perspectives and opinions matter.
Equalista: When you hear “gender equality learning app”, what are your first thoughts?
Cherika: When I first heard about the gender equality learning application, I thought of it as a breakthrough in the global efforts to address gender inequality issues! This is definitely great news not only for gender activists, but to all women around the world who face discrimination in their daily lives, be it in their community, at work, or even at home.
There are plenty of e-books, podcast episodes, and Instagram accounts that discuss gender issues, but I personally never heard of an app dedicated to it before I came across the project of Equalista. So, I am really looking forward to the launch of this app!
Equalista: Why do you think that a mobile learning app could be helpful?
Cherika: While there are many existing sources of information out there, sometimes, us women struggle to find reliable references that provide us with the precise answer that we are looking for. Our busy, everyday lives do not always allow us to spend enough time to do proper research. Moreover, we also often face situations where we need more real-time and practical recommendations and solutions, rather than pure literature as a source of information.
To put it more concretely, I believe there are many women out there, highly educated and well-connected to many sources, who do not always know their rights and do not always know how to fight for them. For example, I have had a situation where I was unaware of gender bias treatment in my professional life.
An app can be a powerful tool to raise women’s awareness of their rights and empower them with data and information they can refer to.
Equalista: Do you see any potential risks or have worries about a gender equality learning app?
Cherika: I do not see any particular risk, but more of a downside of app-based learning. An app will only reach people who have smartphones and a good internet connection, meaning people who live in the cities and deal with modern life’s inequality (e.g pay gap, office harassment).
However, a very pressing reality of gender inequality also exists in rural communities, and these women will, unfortunately, remain left out of this useful source of knowledge.
Equalista: What do you hope to learn with Equalista?
Cherika: I find the cultural context something very interesting when we talk about gender inequality. I really hope that Equalista will be able to touch upon this topic, for example: how different countries treat gender information in job application forms (which potentially leads to discrimination in the hiring process), or how abortion is viewed and what are women’s rights related to this topic in different parts of the world.
In addition, I would like to learn more about women’s success stories in a wide range of sectors that can inspire other women. For example, role models who are women in technology and engineering, or women in arts, film making, and photography. I am sure there are many successful women in these areas, but they are overlooked simply because role models who are men are more dominant.
Cherika Hardjakusumah
A globe-trotter Muslim woman who loves to share her stories through writing and podcast recording. She comes from Jakarta, studied in Switzerland, and now living in Berlin starting a new chapter of her career and life.
Cherika Hardjakusumah
A globe-trotter Muslim woman who loves to share her stories through writing and podcast recording. She comes from Jakarta, studied in Switzerland, and now living in Berlin starting a new chapter of her career and life.
Want to find out more and support Equalista’s goal towards a more equal world? We’re currently live on Kickstarter – and we need your help!