African Women and ICTs: Investigating Technology, Gender and Empowerment
Inspiring Practice
London; Ottawa: Zed Books;International Development Research Centre (IDRC) (2009), ix, 222 pp.
Contains bibliogr., index
ISBN 978-1-55250-399-7
Signature commbox: 100:70-Gender 2009
"Women in Africa are undeniably participating in the information and communication technology (ICT) revolution and they are doing so in many and varied ways; the changes that the use of these tools have brought about are visible everywhere. Furthermore, the prospects of ICTs for development and women’s empowerment seem promising. Yet women’s stories about their experiences and use of these tools are not heard: are their lives changing for the better because of these new technologies? If so, in what ways are they changing? Are there areas in which women could and should participate in this ICT revolution but are not, because they are women? How can women’s perspectives, insights and realities in relation to the use and potentials of ICTs be integrated into ICT policies that are currently being developed and implemented across the continent?" (Abstract)
1 Doing research with women for the purpose of transformation / Ineke Buskens, 9
I. ICT TOOLS: ACCESS AND USE
2 Women's use of information and communication technologies in Mozambique: a tool for empowerment? / Gertrudes Macueve, Judite Mandlate, Lucia Ginger, Polly Gaster, Esselina Macome, 21
3 Considering ICT use when energy access is not secured: a case study from rural South Africa / Jocelyn Muller, 33
4 Rural women's use of cell phones to meet their communication needs: a study from northern Nigeria / Kazanka Comfort, John Dada, 44
5 Egyptian women artisans facing the demands of modern markets: caught between a rock and a hard place / Leila Hassanin, 56
II. FEMALE-ONLY ICT SPACES: PERCEPTIONS AND PRACTICES
6 When a gender-blind access policy results in discrimination: realities and perceptions of female students at the University of Zimbabwe / Buhle Mbambo-Thata, Elizabeth Mlambo, Precious Mwatsiya, 67
7 An alternative public space for women: the potential of ICT / Leila Hassanin, 77
8 Using ICTs to act on hope and commitment: the fight against gender violence in Morocco / Amina Tafnout, Aatifa Timjerdine, 88
9 The names in your address book: are mobile phone networks effective in advocating women's rights in Zambia? / Kiss Brian Abraham, 97
III. USING ICTS: MAKING LIFE BETTER?
10 Mobile phones in a time of modernity: the quest for increased self-sufficiency among women fishmongers and fish processors in Dakar / Ibou Sane, Mamadou Balla Traore, 107
11 Women entrepreneurs in Nairobi: examining and contextualizing women's choices / Alice Wanjira Munyua, 119
12 Internet use among women entrepreneurs in the textile sector in Douala, Cameroon: self-taught and independent / Gisele Yitamben, Elise Tchinda, 133
13 ICTs as agents of change: a case of grassroots women entrepreneurs in Uganda / Susan Bakesha, Angela Nakafeero, Dorothy Okello, 143
14 The mobile payphone business: a vehicle for rural women's empowerment in Uganda / Grace Bantebya Kyomuhendo, 154
IV. CREATING NEW REALITIES
15 Professional women empowered to succeed in Kenya's ICT sector / Okwach Abagi, Olive Sifuna, Salome Awuor Omamo, 169
16 Reflections on the mentoring experiences of ICT career women in Nairobi, Kenya: looking in the mirror / Salome Awuor Omamo, 183
17 Our journey to empowerment: the role of ICT / Ruth Meena, Mary Rusimbi, 193
Epilogue / Ineke Buskens, Anne Webb, 207
I. ICT TOOLS: ACCESS AND USE
2 Women's use of information and communication technologies in Mozambique: a tool for empowerment? / Gertrudes Macueve, Judite Mandlate, Lucia Ginger, Polly Gaster, Esselina Macome, 21
3 Considering ICT use when energy access is not secured: a case study from rural South Africa / Jocelyn Muller, 33
4 Rural women's use of cell phones to meet their communication needs: a study from northern Nigeria / Kazanka Comfort, John Dada, 44
5 Egyptian women artisans facing the demands of modern markets: caught between a rock and a hard place / Leila Hassanin, 56
II. FEMALE-ONLY ICT SPACES: PERCEPTIONS AND PRACTICES
6 When a gender-blind access policy results in discrimination: realities and perceptions of female students at the University of Zimbabwe / Buhle Mbambo-Thata, Elizabeth Mlambo, Precious Mwatsiya, 67
7 An alternative public space for women: the potential of ICT / Leila Hassanin, 77
8 Using ICTs to act on hope and commitment: the fight against gender violence in Morocco / Amina Tafnout, Aatifa Timjerdine, 88
9 The names in your address book: are mobile phone networks effective in advocating women's rights in Zambia? / Kiss Brian Abraham, 97
III. USING ICTS: MAKING LIFE BETTER?
10 Mobile phones in a time of modernity: the quest for increased self-sufficiency among women fishmongers and fish processors in Dakar / Ibou Sane, Mamadou Balla Traore, 107
11 Women entrepreneurs in Nairobi: examining and contextualizing women's choices / Alice Wanjira Munyua, 119
12 Internet use among women entrepreneurs in the textile sector in Douala, Cameroon: self-taught and independent / Gisele Yitamben, Elise Tchinda, 133
13 ICTs as agents of change: a case of grassroots women entrepreneurs in Uganda / Susan Bakesha, Angela Nakafeero, Dorothy Okello, 143
14 The mobile payphone business: a vehicle for rural women's empowerment in Uganda / Grace Bantebya Kyomuhendo, 154
IV. CREATING NEW REALITIES
15 Professional women empowered to succeed in Kenya's ICT sector / Okwach Abagi, Olive Sifuna, Salome Awuor Omamo, 169
16 Reflections on the mentoring experiences of ICT career women in Nairobi, Kenya: looking in the mirror / Salome Awuor Omamo, 183
17 Our journey to empowerment: the role of ICT / Ruth Meena, Mary Rusimbi, 193
Epilogue / Ineke Buskens, Anne Webb, 207
