"Increasing number of reports, initiatives and efforts are focused on addressing women’s ability to enjoy universal, acceptable, affordable, unconditional, open, meaningful and/or equal access to information, the internet and ICTs. These include, but are not limited to, the recent work of civil society organisations, research institutions, various private sector organisations and intergovernmental organisations. There is also a widely acknowledged need for more gender-disaggregated data to accurately measure “gender digital divides”. But there also needs to be more locally relevant data (as opposed to aggregated data at a global level) to better understand underlying local factors and circumstances that hinder women of specifc regions in the global South from accessing and using ICTs, the internet and/or information. But why access is important perhaps also needs to be interrogated from a feminist perspective, which entails not taking for granted that access to ICTs is necessarily a positive and empowering development. What is also relevant is to view the dynamics of race, caste, region (urban-rural), ableism, age and other factors, in relation to gender and access." (Conclusion, p.98)
Contents
Introduction, method and limitations / Anri van der Spuy, Namita Aavriti, 10
Mapping trends and issues: literature review / Anri van der Spuy, 26
Mapping challenges, gaps, priorities and emerging areas: interviews with key actors / Namita Aavriti, 54
Conclusion / Namita Aavriti, 98
Appendix 1: Research actors relevant to gender and ICTs, 107
Appendix 2: Scoping survey on mapping gender in ICTs, 134
Appendix 3: Interview guidelines based on thematic areas, 136
Appendix 4: Participants in expert group meeting on gender and digital technology, 138
Appendix 5: Research network profiles, 139