IDIA2009 Conference
The Gender Digital Divide in Rural Pakistan - To Measure and to Bridge It
Karin Astrid Siegmann
Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Netherlands
Nazima Shaheen
Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Pakistan
Abstract
The importance of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to economic development has been recognized widely during the last decade. The development promises made by the significant growth of ICTs are challenged by the so-called digital divide. The ‘digital divide’ refers to the drastic differences in levels of ICT access between different population groups. While in Pakistan during the past years, the number of mobile phone users and computer applications has been tremendously increased, rural areas are significantly underserved. A significant but largely invisible aspect of the digital divide is the gap in access to and use of ICTs between women and men, girls and boys. For Pakistan, the assessment for gender-specific ICT use and its impact on development has yet to be made. The specific objectives of this paper are to identify gender-specific utilization of ICTs, to measure the extent of the gender digital divide in rural Pakistan and to draw lessons for appropriate technology and governance conducive for improved access of women and girls to ICTs. The paper is based on a study conducted in four disadvantaged districts of rural Pakistan during 2008. Data was generated through focus group discussions and questionnaires.
