The gender digital divide in developing countries

Empirical studies clearly show that women in the developing world have significantly lower technology participation rates than men; a result of entrenched socio-cultural attitudes about the role of women in society. However, as studies are beginning to show, when those women are able to engage with Internet technology, a wide range of personal, family and community benefits become possible. The key to these benefits is on-line education, the access to which sets up a positive feedback loop. This review gives an overview of the digital divide, before focusing specifically on the challenges women in developing countries face in accessing the Internet. Current gender disparities in Internet use will be outlined and the barriers that potentially hinder women’s access and participation in the online world will be considered. We will then look at the potential opportunities for women’s participation in a global digital society along with a consideration of current initiatives that have been developed to mitigate gender inequity in developing countries. We will also consider a promising avenue for future research

The Gender Gap in Online Shopping in Turkey

The main aim of this study is to explore the gender gap in online shopping in the Turkish population. The gender gap in internet use and online shopping is investigated using the results of annual national surveys on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Usage in Households and by Individuals by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat). The study results reveal that females in Turkey tend to be on the wrong side of the digital divide. Even though internet use has increased over the years in the Turkish population, there remains a significant and persistent gap between females and males in internet use and online shopping. It is also found that there are differences between females and males in the purpose of internet use and the type of goods purchased online.publishedVersio

Exploring the Gender Digital Divide in E-Government Use in a Developing Country

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Mobile phones, leadership and gender in rural business groups

Digital information and communication technologies are recognized as vital tools for empowering marginalized groups such as women in low income developing countries through reducing the costs of communication and connectivity. This study aimed at assessing the gender difference in mobile phone ownership among youth business group members, and how it affects election into leadership and group board positions in rural youth business groups in northern Ethiopia. We used instrumental variable methods on survey data on 1125 youths in 119 youth business groups where 32% of the members were female. Our results indicated that 37% of the females and 70% of the males owned mobile phones. Male members were twice as likely to become board members and five times as likely to become group leaders. Mobile phones had become instrumental for male members to become group leaders and board members while this was not the case for female members. Male members without mobile phone were not significantly more likely to become board members or group leaders than female members without and with mobile phones. The gender digital divide is thus a question of both ownership and the use of mobile phones for business and for getting positions that can empower women in business. Further research should investigate whether provision of mobile phones and training of female business members in use of mobile phones for business can lead to female empowerment and thereby eliminate or reduce the observed digital gender discrimination.publishedVersio

Analysis of Digital Divide in Mastery of ICT in Palangka Raya City

This study aims to measure the digital divide by analyzing the influencing factors of the divide (gap) and the effectiveness of ICT public services in Palangka Raya City. The method used for measuring the digital divide in this study was the SIBIS method, the result of the activities of the European Commission which is used for analyzing and comparing different indicators and adapted to environmental conditions. The SIBIS GPS (General Population Survey) indicator was used in this study included the availability of ICT access, ICT utilization, and levels of ICT and e-government capability. The population in this study was the people of Palangka Raya City with a sample of 399 respondents. The results of digital divide measurement in this study showed that the level of digital divide as seen from the aspects of access availability, utilization and level of ICT capability was at medium category, the level of digital divide as seen from the aspect of e-government was in low category, and the level of digital divide as seen from the aspect of demography showed a clear distinction to the digital divide in Palangka Raya Cit

Analysis of Digital Divide in Mastery of ICT in Palangka Raya City

This study aims to measure the digital divide by analyzing the influencing factors of the divide (gap) and the effectiveness of ICT public services in Palangka Raya City. The method used for measuring the digital divide in this study was the SIBIS method, the result of the activities of the European Commission which is used for analyzing and comparing different indicators and adapted to environmental conditions. The SIBIS GPS (General Population Survey) indicator was used in this study included the availability of ICT access, ICT utilization, and levels of ICT and e-government capability. The population in this study was the people of Palangka Raya City with a sample of 399 respondents. The results of digital divide measurement in this study showed that the level of digital divide as seen from the aspects of access availability, utilization and level of ICT capability was at medium category, the level of digital divide as seen from the aspect of e-government was in low category, and the level of digital divide as seen from the aspect of demography showed a clear distinction to the digital divide in Palangka Raya Cit

Explorando los mecanismos de autoinclusión de las mujeres en las TIC

La investigación en torno al género y la tecnología, tradicionalmente, se había centrado en explicar la exclusión de las mujeres de las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (TIC). Sin embargo, un giro hacia la inclusión es ahora más necesario que nunca y ya se está empezando a producir intensivamente. Así, el objetivo principal de este artículo es explorar los procesos de autoinclusión de las mujeres en las TIC. A partir del análisis de entrevistas y grupos de discusión con mujeres tecnólogas mostramos una serie de mecanismos que las mujeres siguen y activan para acceder, permanecer, progresar e incluso transformar las TIC

The factors associated to justify the physical partner violence among married women in Turkey

Abstract Background: Gender-based violence is widespread in Turkey, and the internalization of patriarchal values is an important barrier for women to develop resistance to such violence. Aims: This study aims to assess the attitudes of married women in Turkey towards the justification of physical partner violence, and to examine the predictors for justifying such violence so that ways of resisting it can be identified. Methods: The data for the study was taken from the 2013 Turkish Demographic and Health Survey. A sub-sample of 6,655 married women of reproductive age were included in the analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out. Results: In this cross-sectional study, women with no formal education and women who had completed the primary level of education only were more likely to justify the use of physical violence against them (OR = 4.04, 95% CI = 1.96-8.36 and OR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.24-4.79, respectively) compared to higher educated women. Women who had three or more children were more likely to justify the use of physical violence compared to women with two or fewer children (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.10-1.56). Women who did not use the internet were 1.67 times more likely to justify the use of physical violence compared to women who use the internet (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.27-2.20). Discussion and conclusions: Although women who had fewer children, women who lived in an urban setting, and women in wealthy households justify partner physical violence less than women with more children, women living in a rural setting and women in poor households, the education, and profession of women’s partners are critical factors, too. Education and internet access for women are crucial ways of developing strategies to resist partner violence. Such access helps to involve women in the public sphere, assists in the development of internet literacy, can change their way of thinking about violence, and open up the development of resistance strategies. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2020; 34(4):277-285] Keywords: Gender-based violence, physical partner violence, internet literacy, Turke

Women in Iran: The effect of marital status and the presence of family dependents at home on their use of the internet

Few studies have analyzed how women in Iranian communities use the internet. Our study investigates the effect of marital status and the presence of family dependents at home on their extent of internet use. Our analysis found that while higher incomes, having internet at home, being a student, and having higher qualifications can all increase Iranian women’s chances of using the internet more regularly, looking after a husband or having family dependants at home can have a significant and negative effect on their ability to use the internet on a regular basis. The findings from our small study suggest that less time to access the internet may mean less opportunities for Iranian women to contribute to their communities such as by voicing their opinions and concerns about societal issues that matter to them and by petitioning for change. It may mean less opportunities for participating in political events such as elections