Infrastructure

Citation:

Odame, Helen Hambly, Guihuan Li, Minori Terada, Blythe McKay, Mercy Wambui, and Nancy Muturi. 2005. Gender and ICTs for Development: A Global Sourcebook. Amsterdam: KIT (Royal Tropical Institute); Oxfam GB.

Authors: Helen Hambly Odame, Guihuan Li, Minori Terada, Blythe McKay, Mercy Wambui, Nancy Muturi

Abstract:

Around the world information and communication technologies (ICTs) have changed the lives of individuals, organizations and indeed, entire nations. This book is a collection of case studies about women and their communities in developing countries, and how they have been influenced by ICTs. ICTs can have profound implications for women and men in terms of employment, education, health, environmental sustainability and community development.

Women want information and engage in communication that will improve their livelihoods and help them achieve their human rights. This represents a formidable challenge to all societies in today's world, and especially to developing countries. Due to systemic gender biases in ICTs and their applications, women are far more likely than men to experience discrimination in the information society. Women are not giving up on ICTs. On the contrary, even resource-poor and non-literate women and their organizations are aware of the power of information technologies and communication processes and, if given the opportunity to do so, will use them to advance their basic needs and strategic interests.

Five case studies illustrate the different contexts facing gender and ICTs for development, including e-commerce in Bhutan, entrepreneurship by women workers in China, post-war communication using radio and ICTs in Sierra Leone, sustainable fisheries production in Ghana, and information exchange related to HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean. An extensive annotated bibliography of the international literature on Gender and ICTs for development, rural development in particular, and relevant web resources, complement the papers.

Topics: Development, Gender, Women, Infrastructure, Information & Communication Technologies Regions: Africa, West Africa, Americas, Caribbean countries, Asia, East Asia, South Asia Countries: Barbados, Bhutan, China, Ghana, Jamaica, Sierra Leone, Trinidad & Tobago

Year: 2005

Citation:

Omotayo, Bukky O. 2006. “Women and Conflict in the New Information Age.” International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Journal 32 (4): 325-32.

Author: Bukky O. Omotayo

Abstract:

Peace is more than the absence of war, violence or conflict. Between 1960 and 1980 Africa fought 32 wars, which led to the loss of millions of lives whilst over a million people became refugees. These conflicts, which still continue, along with poverty and diseases, have all threatened the stability of the continent. There are many concepts in peace building, among which a major one is creating clearer channels to disseminate information between the common people and policy makers; this is the role of librarians, especially women librarians. Women librarians’ roles include: the provision and dissemination of useful and accurate information on peace and peace movements and women’s groups; fighting for freedom of access to information; improving the reading habits of women and children; organizing exhibitions and talks on peace; ensuring life-long education for women and girls, etc. African governments have to ensure access to current information by African women through the provision of functional libraries and Internet facilities for them to be properly informed and participate in global discussion and for them to be empowered.

Topics: Armed Conflict, Gender, Women, Infrastructure, Information & Communication Technologies, Peacebuilding Regions: Africa

Year: 2006

Citation:

Sengupta, Ami, Esther G. Long, Arvind Singhal, and Corinne L. Shefner-Rogers. 2007. "The Sada Says 'We Women Have Our Rights': A Gender Analysis of an ICT Initiative in Afghanistan." International Communication Gazette 69 (4): 335-53. 

Authors: Ami Sengupta, Esther G. Long, Arvind Singhal, Corinne L. Schefter-Rogers

Abstract:

This study analyses Voice for Humanity's (VFH) Sada initiative to promote women's rights, citizen participation and civic education during the Afghan parliamentary elections in 2005. A qualitative assessment was conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of how Afghan women, in particular, utilized the Sada device. This research, positioned within current literature on information communication technology (ICT) and gender, views the Sada device — a solar-powered digital audio player (similar to an MP3 player) — as an ICT. Universally, women have unequal access to ICTs, yet the findings of this study suggest that projects such as this one in Afghanistan can play a powerful role in promoting women's rights. The findings reiterate that information dissemination, spurred by a suitable technology, can lead to family and community dialog. Such dialog, coupled with a more enabling environment for women's concerns, can contribute to women's empowerment and realization of women's human rights.

Topics: Education, Gender, Women, Gender Analysis, Infrastructure, Information & Communication Technologies, Political Participation, Rights, Women's Rights Regions: Asia, South Asia Countries: Afghanistan

Year: 2007

Citation:

Salon, Deborah, and Sumila Gulyani. 2010. "Mobility, Poverty, and Gender: Travel 'Choices' of Slum Residents in Nairobi, Kenya." Transport Reviews 30 (5): 641-657.

Authors: Deborah Salon, Sumila Gulyani

Abstract:

Statement of Purpose: In Nigeria, dangers posed by commercial motorcyclists at nights are very disturbing. Past studies have shown that a high number of harm incidents involved women, who were robbed, brutalised, raped and killed. The situation is similar for most countries in sub Saharan Africa. The study seeks to address the issue of women vulnerability in commercial motorcycle transportation. Method Questionnaires and direct interviews were administered to 1200 road users in various locations. Views on causes and suggestions were recorded from passengers of commercial motorcycles, officials of road unions and police. The study lasted 9 months and the data were statistically analysed.

Summary of Results: Results showed that 75% of respondents agreed that motorcycle transportation at nights is unsafe. 68% affirmed that women are targets. Incidents of rape and abuse were noted. 72% of women respondents have stopped night movements. Police officials confirmed harassment and attack. 90% of victims were unable to give description of attackers. Unorganised system of transportation, poor monitoring and inability of the victims to identify attackers hinder progress. The study concludes that actions of unchecked commercial motorcyclists at nights often result in severe consequences for women. The use of motorcycles for commercial transportation between the hours of 19:00 and 06:00 requires additional measures such as data base with verifiable personal information of cyclists.

Keywords: sexual abuse, transport

Topics: Economies, Poverty, Gender, Women, Gender-Based Violence, Infrastructure, Transportation, Security, Sexual Violence, Rape, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, SV against Women Regions: Africa, East Africa Countries: Kenya

Year: 2010

Citation:

Bravo, Ana. 2002. "The Impact of Improved Rural Roads on Gender Relations in Peru." Mountain Research and Development 22 (3): 221-24.

Author: Ana Bravo

Abstract:

The Andean region of Peru covers over one third of the country's territory and contains about 30% of its total population. Development is constrained by both natural and nonnatural barriers, especially in rural areas. Geographic isolation, difficult mountainous terrain, high costs associated with improving transport infrastructure, deficient services, and intermediate means of transport limit the mobility of the rural poor as well as their access to basic services and utilities. Illiteracy rates are high in rural areas; the rate for women (28.2%) is 3 times that of men (9.1%). Responsible de facto for family life activities (education, health, food, recreation, child-care, family relations, etc) and increasingly sharing productive and management roles with men, rural women carry a significant workload. The impact of improved rural roads on gender relations in the Peruvian Andes is highlighted in the present paper, with a focus on the example of the Rural Roads Program. Recommendations are made for more gender-sensitive policy programs in the transport sector.

Keywords: education, poverty

Topics: Economies, Poverty, Education, Gender, Women, Gender Roles, Gendered Power Relations, Gender Equality/Inequality, Health, Households, Infrastructure, Transportation Regions: Americas, South America Countries: Peru

Year: 2002