Role of ICTs in improving women’s income generation capacities, levels of education and health, providing them with information and awareness concerning their public and private rights, and improving the wellbeing of themselves and their families is widely acknowledged. However, unless they are actively consulted and such strategies designed that would integrate them fully into ICT projects and the IT sector; they cannot reap the full benefits and be active participants in the knowledge society.
This can be ensured by:
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Creating an enabling environment which supports and encourages strategies to promote women’s equal access to and opportunity to benefit from ICT projects, as well as creating a regulation and policy environment which supports women’s use of ICTs
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Developing content which speaks to women’s concerns and reflects their local knowledge, and which is of value for their daily lives, business enterprises, and family responsibilities (including information on health, agriculture/small-scale production, natural resources management and SMEs);
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Supporting increased representation of women and girls in scientific and technical education, and using ICTs to promote their increased participation in education at all levels;
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Promoting increased employment in the IT sector for women.
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Implementing e-governance strategies which are accessible to women; and promoting women’s lobbying and advocacy activities.
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