Khaleej Times Wednesday 20 June 2001


WomenOne web site unblocked 

WOMENONE.ORG, a no-profit community initiative of Khaleej Times Online, was
blocked by the Emirates Internet proxy server yesterday afternoon, reportedly
on the basis of a list of 'adverse' web sites received from a watchdog company
in the United States, which helps EIM in updating its proxy server.

Abdulla Hashim, Acting General Manager of Emirates and Multimedia, told Khaleej
Times: "The proxy server is updated on the basis of catchwords and web site
addresses which are supplied by a reputable third party in the US.

"Since the technology is not intelligent enough to distinguish between words
used in a medical context or in an objectionable sense, this site had got blocked
alongside many others inadvertent-ly."

The web site was finally unblocked at 7pm upon intervention.

WomenOne, the only brick-and-click interactive project of its kind in the region,
looks into issues of women's health, skincare, cookery, among others, and
provides a platform to highlight the achievements and problems of women in the
region across all nationalities and cultures. The site also provides a free online
consultation with experts for its readers on gynaecology and obstetrics,
paediatrics, urology and dermatology and beauty-related queries.

The project works in close cooperation with the Al Mosanada Breast Cancer
Foundation, Gynecare and Welcare Hosipital and a host of other reputed brands.