Ten years ago, the Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA) co-hosted RightsCon Southeast Asia in Manila in 2015. That event marked my first exposure to a global conference of this nature and my first encounter with the concept of digital rights. At the time, net neutrality was a hot topic, especially when Facebook (now Meta) launched its Free Basics initiative in developing countries. While net neutrality may not directly address gender disparities in tech, it can lead to an inclusive digital environment by ensuring equal access to online tools, learning platforms, and forums that empower women and girls.
However, the initiative sparked major debate among stakeholders who believed it violated the principle of an open and equal internet. Additionally, for women and other vulnerable groups, net neutrality alone does not address the deeper issues contributing to the digital gender gap. Privacy concerns also arose, as the Free Basics program could collect data on its users.