Why consider ICT4WD?

By Meera Joseph

Many international organizations have shifted their focus from ICT4D to Information and Communication Technologies for Women’s Development (ICT4WD).  Women play a significant role in food production in rural areas. More women in rural areas are looking for productive opportunities and other opportunities that can improve their quality of life. ICT projects can help the marginalized women to improve their communication needs in areas of education, health and agriculture. The third Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) by the United Nations is the empowerment of women and the promotion of gender equality. The goal can be achieved if there is active participation of women in ICT developmental projects that address gender issues. Women are getting engaged in these projects to get the sense of community or individual ownership of ICTs that benefit them. The empowerment of women through ICTs can address many issues such as elimination of poverty through income generation opportunities and provide access to information in all sectors.  Various communication technologies such as radio, internet and mobile phones have improved the socio-economic well being of women in rural and urban areas. Which technology can empower women is debatable, but access to information (through ICTs) can certainly empower individuals. Moreover the modes of communication and what information is communicated are crucial for rural women’s development through ICTs. Rural women are unknowingly using internet and mobile technology as the communication tool. When I posed the question - “Do you use internet” to a rural women living in Eastern Cape, South Africa, she replied- “I do not use internet but I use MXit”. People noticed her using internet connectivity via GPRS to run it. Many donor organizations and software giants have been role players in providing “access” and “technology” at low-cost taking into account the effectiveness of “communication” and “information” in rural development goals. It is crucial that women and men proactively participate with the organizations in meeting MDGs and get the partnership benefits in using technologies. ICT and access to ICT resources are crucial for WD (women’s development).