As a manager working with a company that allows its employees to work from home from any corner of the world, I feel blessed. But a chance invitation to present my views on 'Women Empowerment and Information Technology' had me thinking about the female population that is still bereft of the benefits that technology brings. While some have the world at one click of a mouse, others aren't even aware of such 'miracles.'
The uneven distribution of information technologies within societies as well as across the world has been termed "the digital divide." It reflects a division, a dichotomy, a chasm within countries on grounds of discrimination such as race, ethnic group, class, age, region, and gender; between countries; and between those who have access to information resources and those who do not have this access.
The gender gap in the digital divide needs immediate attention. Access to and use of these technologies is directly linked to social and economic development so it is vital to ensure that women understand the significance of these technologies and use them. If not, it will lead to further marginalization of women from the economic, social, and political mainstream of their countries and of the world. Without full participation in the use of information technology, women are left without the key to participation in the global world of the twenty-first century. IT can be an important tool in meeting women's basic needs and can provide the access to resources to lead women out of poverty. As with all new historical trends, the advent of information technology has been accompanied by a tremendous amount of exaggeration about its transforming powers. Information technology in itself will not bring about an end to poverty or transform the lives of women in developing countries. At the same time, IT can threaten the livelihoods of women, when, as part of economic globalization, it eliminates the jobs they were performing or puts them in new jobs under harsh conditions and with low pay. But like nuclear power that brings with it the best as well as worst uses, IT brings threats, it also brings the assurance of new and better jobs and businesses, of communication with worlds beyond the boundaries of home and community, of easy access to information and resources, and of the ability to acquire education and skills and to transcend social restrictions— to empower and improve the quality of women's lives in developing countries. Most women in developing countries have neither the access to the new technologies nor the prerequisites for their use. So it is imperative that taking advantage of the opportunities will also take awareness and action. Programmes will have to be designed accordingly and put in places that ensure women have easy access to the technologies that can empower them in many aspects of their lives.
The gender gap in the digital divide needs immediate attention. Access to and use of these technologies is directly linked to social and economic development so it is vital to ensure that women understand the significance of these technologies and use them. If not, it will lead to further marginalization of women from the economic, social, and political mainstream of their countries and of the world. Without full participation in the use of information technology, women are left without the key to participation in the global world of the twenty-first century. IT can be an important tool in meeting women's basic needs and can provide the access to resources to lead women out of poverty. As with all new historical trends, the advent of information technology has been accompanied by a tremendous amount of exaggeration about its transforming powers. Information technology in itself will not bring about an end to poverty or transform the lives of women in developing countries. At the same time, IT can threaten the livelihoods of women, when, as part of economic globalization, it eliminates the jobs they were performing or puts them in new jobs under harsh conditions and with low pay. But like nuclear power that brings with it the best as well as worst uses, IT brings threats, it also brings the assurance of new and better jobs and businesses, of communication with worlds beyond the boundaries of home and community, of easy access to information and resources, and of the ability to acquire education and skills and to transcend social restrictions— to empower and improve the quality of women's lives in developing countries. Most women in developing countries have neither the access to the new technologies nor the prerequisites for their use. So it is imperative that taking advantage of the opportunities will also take awareness and action. Programmes will have to be designed accordingly and put in places that ensure women have easy access to the technologies that can empower them in many aspects of their lives.
It is encouraging to note that the percentage of female students opting for Science and Technology is increasing. IT based options are available even to non-engineers as is evident in the BPO sector (even the concept of rural BPO is catching up fast). Beyond access to basic education, girls and women must be equipped with skills to prepare them for a range of roles in information technology. These roles could be as varied as users, creators, designers, and managers.
More, later.
