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) :)

[quote="Lisa-Cespedes"] Question 3 will open on 8th July 3.What are some of the challenges that people/projects faced that looked at empowering women in ICT in relation to rural livelihoods? What are some of the solutions? [/quote] Good Question Lisa. I am eagerly waiting to read what the rest of the participants have to say about this. The biggest challenge is the Negative cultural and societal beliefs that "Technology is for men". In a typical rural set-up, any electronic device is controlled and managed by the men in this case the Male Gender. Right from Access, usage, application etc. With this kind of mindset, women are totally ignorant about the role ICTs can play in improving their livelihoods. Then, the mode in which implementers of projects in rural areas present ICTs to rural communities scares Women away. They think that ICTs are limited to only computers and Internet. The women do not look at mobile phones, radios and or public address systems as ICTs. This is because it is not made clear to them by say the trainers or implementers. The solution to this is to present ICTs to rural communities especially women in the simplest ways possible if they are to realize its importance. Given the fact that it's the male gender that dominates Technical fields, whenever ICT related projects are being implemented in rural areas, it is mainly the men who conduct the trainings and teach Women. This justifies their belief that technology is surely a male department. A simple solution to this is to involve more women in baseline surveys, trainings and facilitating ICT projects that target women in rural areas. In this way, the women will change their perception and open up to embracing ICTs. That's my opinion for now!! Maureen Agena WOUGNET

Thank you Jennifer, I personally think that the community radio is very perfect for rural women and so is the mobile phone which is handy easily accessible. However, experience and constant interaction with these rural women has shown that the usage of the mobile phone is still limited to only verbal communication. This is so because their skills levels are still low and so they cannot use the phones maximumly for texting (SMSing), searching for market information and for carrying out transactions/payments using the new mobile transfers that have been branded by telecommunication companies as "mobile Money" "m-sente" "Zap" and M-pesa. Also the issue of language plays a big role in determining which ICT works best. Still community radio and mobile phones cut across literacy levels in terms of listening to information. When it comes to writing, many women can hardly write in their 'Mother tongues'. Therefore, as we brainstorm about what ICTs work best for rural communities, we should not eliminate face-to-face meetings and listenership clubs especially in rural communities. Maureen Agena Uganda

Gender refers to the socially constructed roles and socially learned behaviors and expectations associated with females and males. Gender balance should be the number one priority ensuring that equal or near equal numbers of capable and competent females (girls & women) and males (boys & men) are able to participate equally in any activity(in this case Agriculture) at all or any level for purposes of development. In other words, no particular gender should dominate the activity at the expense of the other. It could be in decision making, working opportunities or economic ventures. Many a times, a lot of emphasis has been put on the female gender and this has made them more vulnerable to circumstances. Like Alasow mentioned in the Question 1, both genders should be involved during the onset of any ICT4D project. Even if particular projects have been designed for one Gender say female, they cannot work in isolation because the male play key roles in their lives say....husbands, brothers, nephews, uncles etc. So the earlier we involve them and change their mindset towards each other and understand how ICTs can benefit them, the easier the work of the implementers. Regards Maureen Agena WOUGNET :D

Wow, this discussion is becoming interesting. Analiala, thank you so much for sharing the link. In Uganda, we do have a similar project with a Telecenter called Kubere Information centre(KIC) We do exactly what you have described/explained here. http://www.kic.wougnet.org This project is funded by CTA and I must confess that the impact is so positive. To cut the story short, I personally believe that for any e-agricultural project to be successful in any rural community, both Men and women must be involved though at different levels. Just like Alasow mentioned, participation of both Genders should be encouraged at the onset of any ICT4D project.

We must first acknowledge that Gender Issues are so many and they vary from region/nation and country. However, there are some commonalities of having one Gender dominating the other. It is important to bring both genders on board when working in ICT4D rural and agricultural projects and programmes because they both play different roles in agriculture yet in most cases, the male gender is more privileged when it comes to access, application and the use of ICTs for agriculture. Their skills level are higher, the cultural practices favor them(At least for the case of Uganda) and ICTs are seen as a field for men. It is important to use ICTs at all levels (traditional, modern and social online) but if the rural communities are to benefit from e-agriculture, more traditional ICTs need to be considered. The denial of opportunity especially access to technology for a particular sex because of their gender is a very BIG issue! There is need for Gender disaggregated data analyzed on the basis of gender to find out how many women and men access ICTs and use them for Agricultural related activities. The key gender issues range from Accessibility, usage, application, affordability, Gender stereotyping, Socialization and Patriarchy in most of the countries. :(

Mobile phones and community radio I personally believe that the Mobile phones and Community radio are the best ICTs for rural communities in developing countries. They both cut across literacy levels and are easily accessible. However, the question is "Who controls the mobile phone or the radio in terms of Gender?" Who decides what the phone should be used for or what program should be listened too? Who is more economically/financially empowered to be able to buy the prepaid credit on the phone or the batteries for the radio? The answer is obvious that the Male gender dominates. Yet when it comes to Agricultural production, it's the women who toil with the ploughing, weeding and or harvesting and therefore need more Agricultural information but lack the means of accessing it........ Hello, is anyone understanding what I am trying to point out?

[quote="mdegale"] Am so happy to find you Mathew De gale on this forum. And I must say that mAgriculture sounds interesting. Hoping to read some of your ideas on this. Kind Regards maureen

[quote="JVeldhuizen"] I am so interested in the ehealth you have mentioned.