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...

תיאור מלא

מידע ביבליוגרפי
Main Authors: Amy Antonio, David Tuffley
פורמט: Article
שפה:English
יצא לאור: MDPI AG 2014-10-01
סדרה:Future Internet
נושאים:
גישה מקוונת:http://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/6/4/673
_version_ 1828825315527360512
author Amy Antonio
David Tuffley
author_facet Amy Antonio
David Tuffley
author_sort Amy Antonio
collection DOAJ
description 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.
first_indexed 2024-12-12T14:14:48Z
format Article
id doaj.art-f4eaa9953afa4a7fa1043a3b42a5b51d
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1999-5903
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-12T14:14:48Z
publishDate 2014-10-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Future Internet
spelling doaj.art-f4eaa9953afa4a7fa1043a3b42a5b51d2022-12-22T00:21:57ZengMDPI AGFuture Internet1999-59032014-10-016467368710.3390/fi6040673fi6040673The Gender Digital Divide in Developing CountriesAmy Antonio0David Tuffley1Australian Digital Futures Institute, University of Southern Queensland, Education City, Sinnathamby Boulevard Springfield Central, Brisbane, QLD 4300, AustraliaSchool of Information and Communication Technology, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road Nathan, Brisbane, QLD 411, AustraliaEmpirical 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.http://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/6/4/673gender digital dividedigital literacyeducationdeveloping countries
spellingShingle Amy Antonio
David Tuffley
The Gender Digital Divide in Developing Countries
Future Internet
gender digital divide
digital literacy
education
developing countries
title The Gender Digital Divide in Developing Countries
title_full The Gender Digital Divide in Developing Countries
title_fullStr The Gender Digital Divide in Developing Countries
title_full_unstemmed The Gender Digital Divide in Developing Countries
title_short The Gender Digital Divide in Developing Countries
title_sort gender digital divide in developing countries
topic gender digital divide
digital literacy
education
developing countries
url http://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/6/4/673
work_keys_str_mv AT amyantonio thegenderdigitaldivideindevelopingcountries
AT davidtuffley thegenderdigitaldivideindevelopingcountries
AT amyantonio genderdigitaldivideindevelopingcountries
AT davidtuffley genderdigitaldivideindevelopingcountries