Gender & ICT Policy

Session Objectives

• Understand how gender might shape differential access and use of ICTs by men and women and why ICT policy should address gender issues • Understand why it is important to address gender issues in policy formulation, programme design and implementation, as well as evaluation (GEM) • Be aware of how some organizations have built a gendered approach in the design and evaluation of their programmes and projects, by illustrating some of the GEM case studies

ICTs and Development

• Knowledge has become an important factor in development processes • Growing importance for developing countries of adapting ICTs as a way of avoiding further marginalisation • “Digital divide” or “digital exclusion”

ICTs and Gender Equality

• Unequal power relations in society • ICTs can either deepen or transform inequality • ICTs cannot create gender equality or end poverty: – Tools for social action and positive change • Importance of women engaging with ICTs

Critical Issues

• socio-cultural and institutional barriers • access, control and effective use • cost, time and mobility • education, training and skills development • absence from decision-making • ICT policy and governance • content and language • pornography, trafficking, VAW • censorship • gender segregation in employment • privacy, security, and surveillance

Evaluating ICT policies and projects - GEM

Purpose to strengthen and sustain gender accountability in global, regional and national ICT networking initiatives by: – developing evaluation methodologies for ICT initiatives – generating research on gender dimensions of ICT, particularly its impact on gender equality, women's empowerment and social transformation – catalysing a process of resource sharing and tools-building – providing insights and new directions for projects and initiatives, policy interventions and more meaningful use of ICTs for and by women worldwide – providing training to undertake gender evaluation of ICT initiatives – facilitating the creation of a network of "gender equality and ICT champions" (both individuals and organisations), with increased capacity in evaluation, policy, advocacy, and training

GEM Tool Overview

• •

The GEM Tool

is a guide to integrating gender analysis into evaluations of initiatives that use Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for social change.

It provides

a means for determining whether ICTs are really improving women's lives and gender relations as well as promoting empowering change at the individual, institutional, community and broader social levels.

• The

GEM

tool contains:

Theory:

a gender analytical framework as well as basic concepts and principles of evaluation.

Practice:

practical 'how-to' approaches and worksheets to help you conduct your own evaluation.

Gender & ICT Policy (I)

Technology choice The affordability of service is a key issue to women. Limiting technology choice can militate against new players and new technology in the market that might bring down costs e.g. many developing countries ban Wi-Fi Internet7 and VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) telephony.

Infrastructure Are there provisions for high technology applications in areas where many women live outside of the capital and major cities?

Gender & ICT Policy (II)

Universal access Software and applications Develop gender-aware universal access policies stressing public access points as an alternative to more capital-intensive choices (one line/home) and ensure that locations of public access points are gender sensitive (e.g. not in bars or auto shops).

Do women have a say in what applications are being promoted? Are they ones that are usable or accessible to many women?

Systems for learning and training

Gender & ICT Policy (III)

Do women have equal access to technical training? Programs to train women in ICT technical and management programs, followed by internships, can be supported.

Building technological capacity Are opportunities extended to women as well as men? Are there mechanisms for women to enter these fields and training programs? To develop role models for young girls? Are training opportunities open for technology professionals and non professionals to use ICTs?

Gender & ICT Policy