Development lies in the hands of women.
In many developing countries, women are typically in charge
of the household and raising the next generation – both essential factors to
the growth of a nation – but they are also increasingly taking on additional
new roles in business and education. Technology is allowing women to be more
independent.
The key to development is to promote female empowerment and
leadership, which can be achieved through the increased use and access of
technology. Information communication technologies (ICTs) can address challenges of gender inequalities in developing
countries, including access to employment, income, education and health
services.
Technology has introduced the concept of microfinance in the
developing world, allowing women to be more independent. Currently, in Sierra
Leone, women can only get loans with collateral from male relatives and it’s
common to be pressured into sex by bank staff if there is no man around.
Introduction of microfinance, credit, and technology has allowed women to take
control of their own lives and finances. Transferring the money to the hands of
the women may invest more of that money for the household and more sustainable
practices for economic growth.
According to Manuel Castells, technology can also lead to
the transformation of many power structures. There is a move from a vertical
(top-down) approach dominated by men to a more horizontal approach where citizens,
including women can participate. In other words, decision-making and leadership
no longer needs to be so exclusive and limited to a network of managers and
policy makers – roles that are traditionally occupied by men in developing
nations. As more countries are embracing the use of technology, more women are able
to gain access to education, take charge, and innovate to solve community
problems. For example, a group of twelve women from villages in Sierra Leone
are bringing solar-powered electricity to rural communities. They were all
first trained at a college in India, and now use their knowledge and training
to benefit their community. By spreading access of technology, it may be
possible to train women from home making it easier and more cost-effective to
train and implement this energy infrastructure.
And finally, ICTs allow women communicate, exchange views,
organize themselves can have huge implications of economic and political
progress. Just simply allowing women to engage in public sphere, exchange ideas
with one another and allow conversation can lead to surprising results in development
through all sectors. Recent studies in India and Bangladesh found that the
creation of women’s groups led to a decrease in child and maternal mortality.
The study surprisingly found that when women came together and were allowed to
discuss frustrations and have a support group. Increased health can lead to a
stronger community and increased economic growth. Using the findings from these
studies and integrating it with technology can enhance these effects.
However, the introduction of technology does not come
without many challenges. Currently, in Sierra Leone, only around 0.3% of the
population are described as internet users and women are 43% less likely to own
a mobile phone. There are still huge gender gaps and donors must face the
cultural stigma of increasing the roles of women in these countries.
Furthermore, and most importantly, implementing technology is expensive. Women
may have the ability and knowledge to set up solar-powered electricity for
their community, but they may not have the funds to get the supplies or ensure
sustainability.
Development is empowerment. Empowerment begins with
information and knowledge. This presents the future challenge – focus
implementing ICTs to promote female empowerment.
References
1. Bhandari, M. (2011, Aug 17) “The women bringing solar power
to Sierra Leone.” Retrieved from <
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/aug/17/sierra-leone-barefoot-solar-engineers?intcmp=239>
2. Bhandari, M. (2011, Aug 30) “Using technology to close the
gender gap in Sierra Leone.” Retrieved from < http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2011/aug/29/closing-gender-technology-gap-sierra-leone?intcmp=239>
3. Castells, M. (2002) “The Contours of the Network Society.” Foresight, 2(2): 151-157.
Costello, A. (2010, March 5). “Women’s support groups
improve newborn survival rates.” Retrieved from < http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/1003/10030801>
4. Shirky, C. (2011) “The Political Power of Social Media:
Technology, the Public Sphere, and Political Change.” Foreign Policy, Jan/Feb 2011.
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