Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can have profound implications for women and men in terms of employment, education, health, environmental sustainability, and community development. Because of systemic gender biases in ICTs and their applications, however, women are far more likely than men to experience discrimination in the new information society. In spite of this, resource-poor and non-literate women and their organizations are aware of the power of ICTs and are using them to advance their basic needs and strategic interests, improve their livelihoods, and achieve their human rights. This book is a collection of case studies about women and their communities in developing countries, and how they are influenced by, and use ICTs for development. It consists of six chapters covering the following topics: an introduction to Gender and ICTs for development; women workers using ICTs for entrepreneurship in China; e-commerce for rural women weavers in Bhutan; sustainable fisheries production through Radio ?Ada? in Ghana; post-war communication by radio in Sierra Leone; and e-information exchange related to HIV/AIDS and other health issues in the Caribbean. The book also includes an annotated bibliography of print publications and a selection of on-line resources.
This is Volume 8 in the Gender, Society and Development (GSD) series, which aims to contribute to the development of information on women’s and gender issues through focussing on the experiences of Southern-based practitioners and experts.