Soul Beat Africa
African development action with informed and engaged societies
Soul Beat Africa
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as a Tool to Bridge the Gender Digital Divide

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Summary

This paper addresses how women who live in rural settings are impacted by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). According to the author, Uganda is undergoing a rapid introduction to ICTs which could play a "resounding" role as part of a socio-economic transformation - especially for people who live in rural areas. The author asserts that women professionals, entrepreneurs, and youth need to take advantage of the explosive growth in ICTs to further empower themselves.


Women and girls in rural areas still have little or no access to ICT opportunities in part because few civil society organisations operating in rural areas have access to ICT-related facilities. More women are becoming entrepreneurs and their ability to contribute to the economy is increasingly recognised, in spite of constraints such as a lack of access to information on markets, or lack of time to access information centers.


Uganda's policies and strategies are being implemented with ICTs built into their framework. Several initiatives provide women with access to ICTs as tools for social and economic empowerment. One example is the International Women's Tribune Centre's CD-ROM. Entitled "Rural Women in Africa: Ideas for Earning Money," this CD is used at telecentres in Uganda and can be used in other parts of Africa.


For a copy of this publication, please contact INSTRAW at the address below.