Question6

Hello, Welcome to the Forum's closing question; you may still go back to previous questions and join the discussions. Previous questions have explored the multiple barriers to rural women's uptake of ICTs in agricultural production. Here we seek to explore what capacity building would benefit women and how this can be effectively implemented in rural contexts. Development processes acknowledge that introducing ICT tools to projects is not enough. What are the other elements that ensure success and what are the specific needs that women have that will encourage uptake and ensure longevity of use? Thanks for your participation! Jennifer Forum Moderator

Hands on Traning is the best way to go!! First and foremost, we need to change their perception about how they look at ICTs. With that done, training them on ICTs to give them the insight and feel of what ICTs can do is key. When training them (probably by fellow women), it should be made clear that the ICTs are for them(women) and that they will entirely benefit them. The trainings should be accompanied by practical DEMOS say a radio talk show which would give them ideas on how to become good panelists and how to contribute through SMS or live calls. The training should be as participatory as possible with the beneficiaries participating more as opposed to the trainers. The only way of building the capacity of a rural woman is to practically involve her in ICT related activities like taking a photo, making a phone call, texting, presenting as a radio panelist or opening an email address among others. Verbal training is no longer a means of building capacity. Not even to the urban woman. Maureen Agena Women of Uganda network (WOUGNET) :)

Elements to success and specific needs Hallo Members Some of the successful elements that could be explored would including looking at: * Use of ICT tools that translate into or are linked to Economic benefits. The choice of the tools to use should also be simple and affordable. *Mainstreaming of gender concerns into policies especially at National levels should be intersectoral rather than a sector approach. *Use of Gender disaggregated data in addressing equitable access so that women concerns are addressed based on empirical evidence, rather than assumptions. *Integration of Gender Analysis frameworks in agricultural projects. *Exchange visits where such initiatives are in practice is also inspiring especially to rural women as seeing is "believing" and can convince one that such projects are feasible. *Least but not last is that Networking and advocacy are powerful tools that should not be ignored. Some of the specific needs and these are closely linked to challenges that rural women face in participating in projects include * Literacy levels and need for literacy classes. These should be addressed as they contribute to the success of such projects. *Trainings are more meaningful when conducted where the women are located are as opposed to bringing women to a central location like Telecentres which intimidate most rural women due to various cultural and literacy issues. *Appropriate choice of ICT tools to use, that are user friendly, affordable and cut across literacy barriers are some of the specific needs that need to be addressed Further reference can be made at [u]http://kic.wougnet.org[/u], on some of the work that WOUGNET has done with Rural women, ICTs and agriculture information, on a project supported by CTA in Northern Uganda. Regards, Janet Achora WOUGNET

Building capacity for innovation What great suggestions, so nice to have the benefit of all your experience and analysis! I don't have anything to add on how capacity building can be made more effective for women. I have recently been thinking again about how to plan ICT4D projects and thinking that capacity building is a very important element sometimes overshadowed by issues of infrastructure and access, and what's more with the potential to turn a programme from service delivery into real empowerment, social change and innovation. ANd for this to happen, I think that capacity building needs to include, but also go beyond training people to use a technology or system. Of course, what it does depends on the ICT tools, system and purpose, but one example is to link capacity building with local (women's) organisations, for maintenance and management of the ICT system as well as use. Enabling and supporting women to manage the system, use their creativity and local knowledge to solve problems and issues (with technical training or support) may build capacity for innovation and allow new ideas to emerge, especially now that mobile ICTs are so much more accessible without outside help. In the latest Community Informatics journal there is an article by Helen McQuillan following research on women in an ICT project in Ireland. She found that, while men dominate in the technology expert group, by focusing on other types of expertise and capcity, women could contribute fully to managing and maintaining the system. After all, ICT is social as well as technical. She says: "By applying a feminist lens to community informatics we can start to develop positive action programmes, which support women's roles as innovators and active change agents and challenge existing knowledge paradigms and power hierarchies." http://ci-journal.net/index.php/ciej/article/view/506/462 Hannah

Hullo everybody, Thanks for the inputs and the very interesting and thought-provoking points. Hannah, I will definitely read the article by Helen McQuillan. This does point to the huge value in writing about the work that we do. It is important for local content, learnings, experiences and realities to be produced by people involved at the community level. Hence the importance of a discussion such as this. You all point towards capacity building being more than just about the technology. When we link livelihoods to ICTs, it cannot just be about the technology but rather rooted in the society and context and linked to improving conditions. Tehcnology is political and gendered in itself and we need to reflect this when talking about ICT for development. This question 6 could take a week to discuss! We welcome further input on experiencs, suggestions, ideas, lessons learned etc Best, Jenny [quote="hannahb"] Building capacity for innovation What great suggestions, so nice to have the benefit of all your experience and analysis! I don't have anything to add on how capacity building can be made more effective for women. I have recently been thinking again about how to plan ICT4D projects and thinking that capacity building is a very important element sometimes overshadowed by issues of infrastructure and access, and what's more with the potential to turn a programme from service delivery into real empowerment, social change and innovation. ANd for this to happen, I think that capacity building needs to include, but also go beyond training people to use a technology or system. Of course, what it does depends on the ICT tools, system and purpose, but one example is to link capacity building with local (women's) organisations, for maintenance and management of the ICT system as well as use. Enabling and supporting women to manage the system, use their creativity and local knowledge to solve problems and issues (with technical training or support) may build capacity for innovation and allow new ideas to emerge, especially now that mobile ICTs are so much more accessible without outside help. In the latest Community Informatics journal there is an article by Helen McQuillan following research on women in an ICT project in Ireland. She found that, while men dominate in the technology expert group, by focusing on other types of expertise and capcity, women could contribute fully to managing and maintaining the system. After all, ICT is social as well as technical. She says: "By applying a feminist lens to community informatics we can start to develop positive action programmes, which support women's roles as innovators and active change agents and challenge existing knowledge paradigms and power hierarchies." http://ci-journal.net/index.php/ciej/article/view/506/462 Hannah [/quote]

[quote="Lisa-Cespedes"] Question 6 opened 14th July 6. When we talk about capacity building, what can be done to empower women in playing a more vital role in ICTs for agriculture and rural development? [/quote] This question is qn important one and I am glad that it is asked. First women should be sensitize and help to identify each and every constraint. After this step they should be assisted to developed internal solutions or approach that can faster their capicitation in each and every situation. Action to be taken should fit the socio economic environment and also takes in consideration the economic factors. Many women will be able to act very easily in their society one they have been exposed to the interest of the technology and also given enough time to think and implement necessary changes in their environment. It is important to note that outside solutions and difficult to implement Appolinaire

[quote="hannahb"] (McQuillan) By applying a feminist lens to community informatics we can start to develop positive action programmes, which support women's roles as innovators and active change agents and challenge existing knowledge paradigms and power hierarchies." [/quote] Knowledge paradigms and power structures must be challenged, and gender is certainly a factor to consider in capacity diagnosis (and therapeutics - building capacity). However, gender is unlikely to be the only factor at play when diagnosing why knowledge does not work for the poor. "Additional" entrenched power structures surrounding knowledge conversions are addressed at http://www.pragmetaknowledgeclout.be/knowledge-markets, and in references that can be found there. At the same website, under the tab development, attention is given to collaborative diagnostics and therapeutics, generalizing (somewhat) related work on growth diagnostics (Hausmann, Klinger, Wagner, Rodrik, Velasco at CID, Harvard University). Key in intervention design is to avoid a presumptive mindset. A feminist lens will usually be necessary, and lead to actionable ideas, as demonstrated by many contributions in this forum; but often, it may not be sufficient to warrant the desired capacity building and empowerment of rural stakeholders.

..also I recommend this speech on equitable governance and people empowerment, delivered by Merlie B. Mendoza, CARITAS Manila, Philippines, at SESSION 3: SUSTAINING DEVELOPMENT AND WITHSTANDING CRISES, at Informal Interactive Hearings of the UN General Assembly with Non-governmental organizations, Civil society organizations and the Private sector

Jan - thanks for your very thought provoking points around gender not being the only lense we should look through but that we need to challenge other power dynamics and places of privilege. And the speech by Merlie B. Mendoza I will upload to our resources section. best, Jenny [quote="janbmgo"] ..also I recommend this speech on equitable governance and people empowerment, delivered by Merlie B. Mendoza, CARITAS Manila, Philippines, at SESSION 3: SUSTAINING DEVELOPMENT AND WITHSTANDING CRISES, at Informal Interactive Hearings of the UN General Assembly with Non-governmental organizations, Civil society organizations and the Private sector [/quote]