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| Title: | Information needs and communication technology adoption in Africa: a comparative study of rural women in Kenya and South Africa |
| Authors: | Migiro, Stephen O. Kwake, Alice |
| Year: | 2007 |
| Periodical: | Journal of Social Development in Africa (ISSN 1012-1080) |
| Volume: | 22 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| Pages: | 109-141 |
| Language: | English |
| Notes: | biblio. refs. |
| Geographic terms: | Kenya South Africa East Africa |
| Subjects: | information technology rural women communication Technology and women Communication and technology Comparative studies |
| Abstract: | Using survey research methodology, the study examined the adoption and use of information and communication techniques by rural women in Kenya and South Africa. The study was informed by a growing notion on the part of many digital divide scholars that limited ICT accessibility and exploitation in rural areas results in increased social exclusion, with African women in particular getting further behind their male counterparts in development terms. Results from the study indicate that radio and television are the most commonly used ICTs for the information needs of rural women in the areas of health, education, social welfare and agriculture. Problems of access to modern technologies such as the Internet and video, and exclusion of women, are still quite significant. This can be explained by a number of factors, including low levels of literacy and inadequate computer skills. The majority of the survey respondents felt that ICTs were too costly or unavailable for their use. In order to bridge the existing digital divide in rural areas, initiatives are needed to introduce modern information and communication technology, particularly in rural areas which lag behind. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract] |
