Today more than ever we have the ability to collect, share and process information of all kinds (text, audio and visual) thanks to technology advancements and innovation.
Due to their wide application potential, ICTS are having profound and pervasive social, economic, environmental impacts on the world. As more people gain access to information and communication, they become better positioned to make decisions that improve their own lives which in turn help to address the problem of social and economic disparities.
While the digital opportunities are spreading to both men and women, the existing gender divide that runs across all social and income groups have been amplifies where ICTs are concerned.
Throughout the world women face serious challenges that limit or prevent their access, use, ownership and control of not only ICT but also other ….. These challenges stem from the economic, social and cultural obstacles which must be tackled for the sake of equitable development opportunities. The major problem lies in the existing gender stereotypes and biases that are embedded in cultures and social norms as are a reflection of patriarchy in our societies.
Little work has so far been done to understand the relationship between ICT and gender equality, the gender dimensions of access to, and use of ICT, and how ICT can indeed become a tool for the promotion of gender equality. As the potential of ICT for development has now become a focus of attention, this is the most opportune time for clarifying the gender perspectives in ICT so that such perspectives can be integrated from the outset into all aspects of this new sector.
Applying a gender perspective to ICT means assessing the implications for women and men of policies, programmes and projects to ascertain how opportunities, benefits and risks accrue to women and men differentially based on their socially constructed roles.
This calls for an enabling environment, to create an anabling environment ICT policy processes must integrate gender analysis at all stages of their development, from the initial design to implementation, monitoring and evaluation. This requires an analysis of the current status of women and men’s participation in, and use of, ICT, including a comprehensive analysis of sex disaggregated statistics and indicators and policy responses that target gender-based differences and inequalities. In addition, the policy process itself needs to be inclusive and consultative through the participation of stakeholder groups representative of the full spectrum of society, including gender advocates.
Due to their wide application potential, ICTS are having profound and pervasive social, economic, environmental impacts on the world. As more people gain access to information and communication, they become better positioned to make decisions that improve their own lives which in turn help to address the problem of social and economic disparities.
While the digital opportunities are spreading to both men and women, the existing gender divide that runs across all social and income groups have been amplifies where ICTs are concerned.
Throughout the world women face serious challenges that limit or prevent their access, use, ownership and control of not only ICT but also other ….. These challenges stem from the economic, social and cultural obstacles which must be tackled for the sake of equitable development opportunities. The major problem lies in the existing gender stereotypes and biases that are embedded in cultures and social norms as are a reflection of patriarchy in our societies.
Little work has so far been done to understand the relationship between ICT and gender equality, the gender dimensions of access to, and use of ICT, and how ICT can indeed become a tool for the promotion of gender equality. As the potential of ICT for development has now become a focus of attention, this is the most opportune time for clarifying the gender perspectives in ICT so that such perspectives can be integrated from the outset into all aspects of this new sector.
Applying a gender perspective to ICT means assessing the implications for women and men of policies, programmes and projects to ascertain how opportunities, benefits and risks accrue to women and men differentially based on their socially constructed roles.
This calls for an enabling environment, to create an anabling environment ICT policy processes must integrate gender analysis at all stages of their development, from the initial design to implementation, monitoring and evaluation. This requires an analysis of the current status of women and men’s participation in, and use of, ICT, including a comprehensive analysis of sex disaggregated statistics and indicators and policy responses that target gender-based differences and inequalities. In addition, the policy process itself needs to be inclusive and consultative through the participation of stakeholder groups representative of the full spectrum of society, including gender advocates.
