Multimedia: Gender and ICT

Resource: Supporting the Advancement of Women in ICT

Jidaw Systems, the socially driven ICT firm in Nigeria has provided the following resources and events to support the empowerment of women with ICTs. Women in ICT – Moving up the Value Chain  Why are so few women in ICT? What must be done to advance and empower women with ICTs? The future more…

Article: CAMEROON– Profits Were Only a Phone Call Away

Ngala Killian Chimtom
YAOUNDÉ, Dec 6 – These are awkward times for the men in the middle in Cameroon’s Western Highlands. A profitable niche buying produce cheaply on farms, and supplying farmers with seed and fertiliser at premium prices has been shattered by the sound of a cellphone ringing.
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News: gender implications of ICTs

ICT Boom for Economy, A Bust for Some Women
By Rosebell Kagumire
KAMPALA, Nov 25, 2010 (IPS) – The rapid growth of the ICT market in Uganda has been greeted with optimism over its potential to boost the country’s development. But less attention is being paid to the increase in gender based violence due to the use of information and communications technology.

Publication: Bridging the Gender Divide; How Technology Can Advance Women Economically

Intention and innovation can generate real economic benefits to women in the developing world. In a groundbreaking study, ICRW examines technology initiatives that have enabled women to develop their economic potential, become stronger leaders and more effective contributors to their families, communities and domestic economies. Specifically, these efforts helped women increase their productivity, create new entrepreneurial ventures and launch income-generating pursuits. The report also offers innovators practical recommendations on how to design and deploy technologies that women can’t afford not to use.

By: Kirrin Gill; Kim Brooks; Janna McDougall; Payal Patel; Aslihan Kes (ICRW)

Access here

News: ICT for Development A Global Electronic Game to Address Violence against Women

This episodic, interactive electronic game and social networking application, delivered globally via web and mobile technology, aims to engage, educate, and change attitudes of boys aged 8-15 years around the subject of violence against women. Employing the global popularity of football (soccer), the game design links the winning benefits of respect on the playing field to respectful behaviour towards girls and women in the player’s social sphere. The game features 3 major modes of play: narrative events, tactical football, and skill-building training mini-games.

For more information

Contact: Ann DeMarle demarle@champlain.edu OR William N. Ryerson ryerson@populationmedia.org

News: Women & Mobile A Global Opportunity

A study on the mobile phone gender gap in low and middle-income countries by GSMA Development Fund, the Cherie Blair Foundation & Vital Wave Consulting

“Mobile phone ownership in low and middle-income countries has skyrocketed in the past several years. But a woman is still 21% less likely to own a mobile phone than a man. Closing this gender gap would bring the benefits of mobile phones to an additional 300 million women. By extending the benefits of mobile phone ownership to more women, a host of social and economic goals can be advanced.

The Women & Mobile report is the first comprehensive view of women and mobile phones in the developing world. This report, sponsored by the GSMA Development Fund and Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, explores the commercial and social opportunity for closing the mobile gender gap. The report builds off of a survey conducted with women on three continents to show their mobile phone ownership, usage, barriers to adoption and preferences. The report shows how mobile phone ownership can improve access to educational, health, business and employment opportunities and help women lead more secure, connected and productive lives.  It also includes ten case studies highlighting the strategies and tactics that both mobile network operators and non-profit organizations across the globe are implementing to increase the usage and impact of mobile phones around the world.”

For the full report

News: Focus on Women, Microcredit, ICT & Gendercide in Recent Economist Issues

Wominnovation, Economist, March 9

“Two recent innovations have garnered a lot of attention for the way they empower women. One is microcredit, a system of lending to very poor people, the majority of whom are female microentrepreneurs who are thus helped to climb out of poverty. The other is the mobile phone, which among other things has led to the emergence of an army of “telephone ladies” in countries such as Bangladesh, who earn a decent living by buying a phone and renting it out to other villagers. That said, some innovations have been harmful to women, especially in the developing world.”

http://www.economist.com/business-finance/PrinterFriendly.cfm?story_id=15656289

See Also: Gendercide, Economist, March 4

Killed, aborted or neglected, at least 100m girls have disappeared—and the number is rising

http://www.economist.com/printedition/PrinterFriendly.cfm?story_id=15606229