The objective of this paper is to summarize the findings from an overview of the infoDev portfolio from a gend-er perspective and field studies of six selected infoDev projects. It is often assumed that the application of technology is neutral and that benefits of an ICT project accrue equitably to all individuals in a community. In most cases, however, there are some individuals or groups that have fewer prospects of benefiting from services of-fered. Women typically constitute a majority of th more...

It is, however, essential to emphasize that ICTs are not gender-neutral -they are not accessed, managed and controlled by all men and women equally. As a result, men and women experience different benefits and effects of ICTs at all levels, a point highlighted by many studies on ICTs and gender since the early 1990s

The goal of this primer is to address this gap in the context of e-governancer.

This primer is part of the UNDP's Gender and Democratic Governance Primer Series. The others i more...

This collection of papers comes out of a project undertaken as part of the regional activities of the World Summit on the Information Society's (WSIS) Gender Caucus. To strengthen gender advocacy during the WSIS processes, it was felt necessary to analyse in detail whether and how ICTs do, and can potentially, bring about structural transformation in gender relations, and therefore the conditions framing such access needed to be explored. This volume seeks to address this policy advocacy imperat more...

This paper highlights why women's illiteracy needs to be addressed, and outlines documented experiences in using ICTs to address illiteracy. After reviewing some of the salient experiences of running literacy programmes for women in developing countries, the authors discuss the support needed from a broad array of sources and areas for meaningful use of ICT interventions in women's literacy. The paper then provides a brief description of the status, trends and problems relating to application of more...

Northern Uganda has been at the centre of a two-decade long insurgency that has left the rural communities in a precarious pandemonium-like situation characterised by widespread poverty, high illiteracy levels and bad living conditions. But this insurgence just came at a time when the region was supposed to be eliminating these obstacles to achieving a dignified, civilised way of life. However, in the last 8 yrs, Apac district, where this project is located, has been relatively safe that is why more...

African Women and ICTs explores the ways in which women in Africa utilize ICTs to facilitate their empowerment; whether through the mobile village phone business, through internet use, or through new career and ICT employment opportunities. Based on the outcome of an extensive research project, this timely book features chapters based on original primary field research undertaken by academics and activists who have investigated situations within their own communities and countries. The discussio more...

This e-Primer looks at information and communications technology (ICT) for development through a gender lens. It provides a gender perspectives to issues of ICT policies; access and control; education, training and skill development; and content development, and introduces a framework to integrate gender in ICT for development and empower women.

VAW, or violence against women, means any act that results in harm and disproportionately affects women. The root cause of VAW lies in unequal power relations between men and women in almost all facets of life.

Both ICTs and VAW affects our capacity to completely enjoy our human rights and fundamental freedoms. There is an increased recognition of the connection between VAW and ICTs. For example, the websites can be a useful
place for women in violent relationships to get information and he more...

This report looks at women’s access to financing and ICT within progress and perspectives from selected countries and sub-regions in the area covered by the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE). The publication provides a number of good practices to be considered by governments and other stakeholders.

For a long time, Zambian women have lagged behind in new developmental trends, especially in areas of technology, politics, and economy. To help mitigate this trend, women in Zambia came together 20 years ago to form the Zambia Association for Research and Development (ZARD). This occurred when many people, including a number of women, thought the fight for women empowerment into leadership positions was an affront against culture.