mediadev library

Meeting the Challenges of Information Disorder in the Global South
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Herman Wasserman (ed.)

Rondebosch: Centre for Film and Media Studies University of Cape Town; International Development Research Centre (IDRC) (2022), 256 pp.

"Despite information disorder being a widespread problem in countries in the Global South, the study of this phenomenon remains dominated by examples, case studies, and models from the Global North. Knowledge about the various manifestations of information disorder, the range of responses, and the s ... more

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Gender Norms, Gendered Work and Intersectional Digital Inequalities in Rwanda

Araba Sey et al.

Research ICT Africa (2021), 58 pp.

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Taking Stock: Data and Evidence on Gender Equality in Digital Access, Skills and Leadership
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Araba Sey, Nancy Hafkin (eds.)

United Nations University (UNU); Equals Global Partnership (2019), 338 pp.

"1. While gender gaps are observable in most aspects of ICT access, skills and leadership, the picture is complex. There are large regional variations: some countries are close to parity or have even reversed the gender gap on some indicators, while others still have persistent gaps. Individual coun ... tries can have both large and small gaps, depending on the indicator being measured. Interpreting the gaps requires careful and contextualised analysis. 2. Barriers to gender digital equality are generally related to one or more of the following: 1) availability of infrastructure; 2) financial constraints; 3) ICT ability and aptitude; 4) interest and perceived relevance of ICTs; 5) safety and security; and 6) socio-cultural and institutional contexts. Most of these barriers cut across issues of access, skills, and leadership, although they may manifest in slightly different ways. While research has documented these barriers, the evidence from different sources is sometimes contradictory, even within the same country contexts. 3. There is no one conclusive strategy for eliminating gender digital inequalities. Recommendations generally call either for targeting specific contributing factors of gender digital inequality (such as affordability or recruiting practices), or for reshaping deeply ingrained social norms and practices (such as gender stereotypes) that are at the root of gender inequalities. As with the evidence on barriers, research results are sometimes contradictory or nuanced. 4. The dominant approaches to gender equality in ICT access, skills, and leadership mostly frame issues in binary (male/female) terms, thereby masking the relevance of other pertinent identities. Insufficient research has been done on the implications of ICTs for intersectional identities. Data collection should move from binary sexdisaggregation towards finer degrees of status disaggregation in order to recognise multiple and interacting identities (such as sexuality, poverty, class, education, age, disability, and occupation). 5. To ensure privacy and safety as well as full participation in the digital economy, women should have equal opportunities to develop adequate basic and advanced digital skills. Cyberstalking, online harassment, image manipulation, privacy violations, geotracking, and surveillance can compromise women’s and girls’ safety both online and offline. In addition, some evidence suggests the digital transformation of labour may be widening gender wage gaps. These outcomes can be averted with the right types of training combined with social and institutional change. 6. Developments in digital technologies open new pathways to gender diversity and inclusion; however, lack of attention to gender dynamics and differences hampers the potential for true progress. For example, evidence suggests that most women’s work in the digital economy, particularly in the Global South, reinforces existing social divisions. Moreover, artificial Intelligence (AI) systems, designed largely by men, tend to ignore the negative gender implications of their designs. Research, government policy and design principles should include gender awareness and analysis, for example by building in data and privacy protections and avoiding gender stereotypes." (Key findings, page 19-20) more

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Connecting People for Development: Why Public Access ICTs Matter

Araba Sey, Chris Coward, François Bar, George Sciadas, Chris Rothschild, Lucas Koepke

Seattle: Technology & Social Change Group University of Washington Information School (2013), 240 pp.

"Libraries, telecenters, and cybercafés play a critical role in extending the benefits of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to a diverse range of people worldwide. However, their ability to contribute to development agendas has come into question in recent times. The Global Impact S ... more

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Literature Review on the Impact of Public Access to Information and Communication Technologies

Araba Sey, Michelle Fellows

Seattle: Center for Information & Society (CIS) University of Washington (2009), 25 pp.

"This report presents a review of empirical research on the impacts of public access to ICTs in order to document what is known about this approach to ICT service delivery. The results show that there is limited conclusive evidence on downstream impacts of public access to ICTs. The evidence that do ... more

Meeting the Challenges of Information Disorder in the Global South Top Insights

Gender Norms, Gendered Work and Intersectional Digital Inequalities in Rwanda

Taking Stock: Data and Evidence on Gender Equality in Digital Access, Skills and Leadership Top Insights

Connecting People for Development: Why Public Access ICTs Matter

Literature Review on the Impact of Public Access to Information and Communication Technologies

Meeting the Challenges of Information Disorder in the Global South
Top Insights

Taking Stock: Data and Evidence on Gender Equality in Digital Access, Skills and Leadership
Top Insights