ICTs, gender and development: women in software production in Kerala

The impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on development largely depends on the existing economic, social and cultural fabric into which they are introduced. This can be seen in the case of Kerala in India, which has been implementing an ICT-based strategy that particularly seeks to create growth and employment through software production. A gendered perspective on software production shows that ICTs create opportunities for women. However, they also reproduce gender inequalities seen in the broader fabric of society. ICT policies must therefore take account of the gendered roles, norms and practices that affect both labour markets and households because these, in turn, affect both the outcome and sustainability of ICT-based development. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.