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| Without Borders - Archive |
The role of ICTs as development enablers is more widely understood
today as access to new technologies, particularly mobile phones, has
grown exponentially. Mobile phone subscriptions exceeded six billion by
the end of 2012, three-quarters of which were in the developing
world. However, women are at a disadvantage: they are 21% less likely to own a
mobile phone than men, according to the latest Broadband Commission Report (PDF, 2.4Mb).
Development presents an opportunity to effectively address this and
other gender gaps. I am speaking here about sustainable human
development, about the ability to make choices and lead a healthy, long
and educated life with all that we value.
Let us bear in mind that ICTs are not neutral. Existing gender
inequalities, pervasive in many countries, can be exacerbated by ICTs,
when unequal access to education for example turns into digital
ignorance. Not having female teachers and lack of local security are
powerful triggers of girls’ dropout. Women will not be able to access
ICT community centers if safety issues are not properly addressed.
We are determined advocates of democratic governance and for us
women's access to ICTs is a governance issue. Public policies and the
private sector need to address the root causes head-on. Women who lag
behind in ICT skills are less employable, face further disadvantage and
will end at the lower echelons of the labour market.
ICT solutions comprising the Internet and mobile technologies have
great potential to bring vital improvements to the lives of the most
vulnerable populations. For example:
• health care delivery through remote consultations
• agricultural development through access to pricing information and extension services;
• education and learning through online resources
• banking services through mobile banking
• participation in decision-making processes by enhancing access to public information
Talk to us: How can the use of mobile technologies best benefit women? Share examples in your country.
