Usually women are said to suffer from technophobia and really do not use Information Communication Technology (ICTs) as much as men. But maybe this may be because of the type of technology that somebody uses. In recent years Africa has seen the rise in the use of mobile phones especially among women.
When the mobile phone first came to Africa it’s price was that of a reconditioned second hand car from Japan. The mobile phone could only be afforded by Directors of companies, mostly men found in leadership positions.
According to the Wikipedia, technophobia is the fear or dislike of advanced technology or complex devices, especially computers. The term is generally used in the sense of an irrational fear, but others contend fears are justified.
There are many women who have never seen or used a computer in Africa. These include both illiterate and the literate women.
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day, “Equal Rights Equal Opportunities, and Progress for All” may have little or no meaning to women in Africa, who have not had a chance to access the technology in relation to ICT.
While technology is not gender neutral, it is clear that women have lagged behind in terms of having access to computers. While ICTs offer opportunities for women’s social-economic empowerment, it can also perpetuate women’s marginalization and gender inequalities, which is negative to development.
Men are seen to dominate this industry thereby leaving women sidelined and fearing to take up the challenges involved.
Gender refers to socially constructed differences and opportunities associated with being female or male to the social interactions and relationships between women and men.
For women, access to computers can be a critical pathway to the social economic growth and development in Africa as they could also benefit from the ICTs.
The social exclusion of women and girls to access to ICTs has perpetuated gender inequalities and this has stalled Africa’s development. ICTs can play a critical role in mitigating women’s marginalization in having access to computers which is a male dominated sector in Africa.
The seemingly neutral ICT sector becomes male biased when implemented in a social context that discriminates against women. The social power relationships between men and women shape their access to computers and command over resources.
It is clear that in Africa there is a digital divide, which serves to distinguish the haves and not haves in the area of information technology between men and women.
The gender digital divide is the inequitable access to ICTs from information and knowledge resources. The gender digital divide is derived from a complex range of problems, including the lack of: telecommunications and other connectivity infrastructure; skills and institutional capacity, representation and participation in development process and financial resources.
Therefore digital information and communication technology is enhancing the existing ways that people communicate, exchange knowledge and access information. Women are lagging behind in the changing world of ICTs which men have embraced.
“The men are pro-technology than women,” says Brenda Zulu and IT expert in Zambia. She notes that technology is not gender neutral, anyone can operate but women are shying away.
ICT has become a critical issue in the development of many women Civil Society Organisations (CSOs.) However, Mrs. Zulu regrets that CSOs have not embraced ICTs as these are the key contacts with the grassroots women.
Several studies have shown that women are under-represented in ICT careers, and when they are represented, they are primarily in stereotypical roles.
To implement and monitor on many projects and Programmes, one requires knowledge in ICT and women have been dragging their feet in this area, “Mrs. Zulu regrets.
She advises women organizations to seek partnership with organizations training in ICT to have their staff trained
Mrs. Zulu calls on the African governments to initiate policies that will stimulate the involvement of women in ICT. These policies should encourage women to pursue courses in engineering and technology. ICTs have become a potent force in transforming social, economic and political life globally.
She also calls on parents to have a positive attitude towards their girls’ taking on subjects associated with men as this will enable them grow with confidence and have a vision in life that is beyond marriage.
Ends.
When the mobile phone first came to Africa it’s price was that of a reconditioned second hand car from Japan. The mobile phone could only be afforded by Directors of companies, mostly men found in leadership positions.
According to the Wikipedia, technophobia is the fear or dislike of advanced technology or complex devices, especially computers. The term is generally used in the sense of an irrational fear, but others contend fears are justified.
There are many women who have never seen or used a computer in Africa. These include both illiterate and the literate women.
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day, “Equal Rights Equal Opportunities, and Progress for All” may have little or no meaning to women in Africa, who have not had a chance to access the technology in relation to ICT.
While technology is not gender neutral, it is clear that women have lagged behind in terms of having access to computers. While ICTs offer opportunities for women’s social-economic empowerment, it can also perpetuate women’s marginalization and gender inequalities, which is negative to development.
Men are seen to dominate this industry thereby leaving women sidelined and fearing to take up the challenges involved.
Gender refers to socially constructed differences and opportunities associated with being female or male to the social interactions and relationships between women and men.
For women, access to computers can be a critical pathway to the social economic growth and development in Africa as they could also benefit from the ICTs.
The social exclusion of women and girls to access to ICTs has perpetuated gender inequalities and this has stalled Africa’s development. ICTs can play a critical role in mitigating women’s marginalization in having access to computers which is a male dominated sector in Africa.
The seemingly neutral ICT sector becomes male biased when implemented in a social context that discriminates against women. The social power relationships between men and women shape their access to computers and command over resources.
It is clear that in Africa there is a digital divide, which serves to distinguish the haves and not haves in the area of information technology between men and women.
The gender digital divide is the inequitable access to ICTs from information and knowledge resources. The gender digital divide is derived from a complex range of problems, including the lack of: telecommunications and other connectivity infrastructure; skills and institutional capacity, representation and participation in development process and financial resources.
Therefore digital information and communication technology is enhancing the existing ways that people communicate, exchange knowledge and access information. Women are lagging behind in the changing world of ICTs which men have embraced.
“The men are pro-technology than women,” says Brenda Zulu and IT expert in Zambia. She notes that technology is not gender neutral, anyone can operate but women are shying away.
ICT has become a critical issue in the development of many women Civil Society Organisations (CSOs.) However, Mrs. Zulu regrets that CSOs have not embraced ICTs as these are the key contacts with the grassroots women.
Several studies have shown that women are under-represented in ICT careers, and when they are represented, they are primarily in stereotypical roles.
To implement and monitor on many projects and Programmes, one requires knowledge in ICT and women have been dragging their feet in this area, “Mrs. Zulu regrets.
She advises women organizations to seek partnership with organizations training in ICT to have their staff trained
Mrs. Zulu calls on the African governments to initiate policies that will stimulate the involvement of women in ICT. These policies should encourage women to pursue courses in engineering and technology. ICTs have become a potent force in transforming social, economic and political life globally.
She also calls on parents to have a positive attitude towards their girls’ taking on subjects associated with men as this will enable them grow with confidence and have a vision in life that is beyond marriage.
Ends.
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