PROMOTION OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT THOUGH INTERNET USAGE. A CRITICAL

REVIEW

ByProf. Waswa Balunywa, PhD and Shakilah Nagujja

Paper format

Introduction

Objectives of the study

Theoretical framework

Literature review

Conclusion

Figures

Globally 6% of the women are in top positions (Eagley et al, 2007)

Literacy levels of women are 66% compared to 82% of men (World bank report, 2011)

Introduction

Women are excluded/marginalised in various aspects of life

This is due to the socialization Process which has led to social exclusion

Acquisition of an acceptable behavior in society from a child through a parent is the socialisation process (Lyton, 1980)

What has been done…

Legislation: Constitution, Employment Act, etc. Ministry of Gender and youth Affirmative action Establishment of Ministry of ICT for policy &

Regulation

What is internet?

A network of computers, A form of ICT Different forms of ICT Televisions Computer Radio Mobile phone Internet

Importance of Internet

Access to information

Reduces distance

Reduces need for travel

Facilitates research

Increases productivity (Ashrafi & Murtaza, 2008)

Usage of Internet worldwide

WORLD INTERNET USAGE AND POPULATION STATISTICSDecember 31, 2011

World RegionsPopulation( 2011 Est.)

Internet Users

Dec. 31, 2000

Internet UsersLatest Data

Penetration(%

Population)

Users %of Table

Africa 1,037,524,058 4,514,400 139,875,242 13.5 % 6.2 %

Asia 3,879,740,877 114,304,000 1,016,799,076 26.2 % 44.8 %

Europe 816,426,346 105,096,093 500,723,686 61.3 % 22.1 %

Middle East 216,258,843 3,284,800 77,020,995 35.6 % 3.4 %

North America 347,394,870 108,096,800 273,067,546 78.6 % 12.0 %

Latin America / Carib. 597,283,165 18,068,919 235,819,740 39.5 % 10.4 %

Oceania / Australia 35,426,995 7,620,480 23,927,457 67.5 % 1.1 %

WORLD TOTAL 6,930,055,154 360,985,492 2,267,233,742 32.7 % 100.0 %

Objectives of the paperOverall objectiveTo review literature and establish whether internet promoteswomen empowerment

Specific Objective To establish whether internet promotes women access to resources

To find out whether internet creates opportunities for women to access education and health

To establish how women adopt technology

To assess whether ICT promotes social interaction

Theoretical framework of disempowerment

“Social exclusion is a broader concept than poverty, encompassingnot only low material means but the inability to participate effectively ineconomic, social, political and cultural life and in some characterizationsalienation and distance from mainstream society” (Duffy,1995).This is applicable to all vulnerable groups or communities eg blacks under apartheid or children or the disabled or minority communities in various countries.

Social exclusion theory

Women are systematically:- Denied ownership, access and control of

resources e.g. capital and land- Denied opportunity to education, health care,

housing. - Denied social interaction.- Denied mobility (Prakash, 2008)

Theories that explain adoption of technology Theory of planned behavior Experiential learning theory Theory of Reasoned Action Theory of technological adoption model (TAM) Unified theory of acceptance and Usage of

Technology UTAUT MODEL Diffusion of Innovations

UTAUT model

By Vankatesh et al,.2000- Performance expectance i.e. usefulness- Effort expectancy i.e. ease of use- Facilitating conditions- Social influence

Evidence from the literature

Legislation has increased numbers of women in education, leadership and business.

Affirmative action has also increased numbers. Modernization has also increased numbers.These are wrought with challenges.Technology is a silent promoter of empowermentEasily accessible? Easy to use? No gender bias?

Internet promotes women access to resources

Eggleston et al, 2002 argues that internet can enhance functioning of markets

UN summit in 2005 stressed that internet allows women increased participation in Various aspects of life

ICTs have the potential to redefine gender roles (Kelkar, 2002; Drucker 2001)

ICT creates opportunities for women to access education and health

Brown states that ICTs have the potential to help poor communities to meet key development priorities, especially in the areas of poverty, health and education.

Gurumurthy (2004) argues that new ICTs play a critical role in health delivery

Gurumurthy (2004) further states that new and old ICTs offer many possibilities for non-formal and continued education

Performance expectancy

This whether technology is useful.- Technology has been found to be useful in many situations:

Reduces distanceEases communicationReduces cost

Effort expectancy

This is the ease of use, how much effort is needed to adopt the technology. Technology sophisication. Ability to learn the technology. Availability of teachers. Availability of instructions on gadgets . Language barriers

Facilitating conditions

Availability of infrastructure e.g. band width, electricity etc.

Cost of access Availability of the gadgets Cost of the technology

Social influence

Current usage by society

Current usage by peers

Peer influence

ICT promotes social interaction

Wald and Koblo (2008) argue that the internet has improved social integration

Internet offers new opportunities for communication. Batchelor (2005)

Conclusions

o ICTs are powerful enablers of economic development ICTs bring about change in society

o Internet promotes inclusion of different groups including women.

o Internet while not gender neutral is more easily accessed and implemented as a tool of change.

o Internet adoption is limited by cost.

Lessons for TVETs

Women are an important group in social economic development.

Women should be empowered to make the contribution.

ICT should be a key tool in empowering women. TVETs should use ICTs in training women.