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Bonder, G. From access to appropriation: Women and ICT policies in Latin American and the Caribbean. November 2002.

Expert Group Meeting on “Information and communication technologies and their impact on and use as an instrument for the advancement and empowerment of women” Seoul, Republic of Korea. November 2002.

 

Introduction

Access to information, to knowledge and the interaction between cultures and social groups have never been so within the reach of humanity, nor as valued as in the last decades. The continuous innovation and global spreading of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) appear like a fundamental resource in order to reach these goals and inaugurate a change of era known as Information Society or Knowledge Society.

However, in its current phase of development, we must clearly differentiate the potentialities (informative, educational, cultural, political, economic, etc.) offered by these technologies, from their manifestations and actual impact on the various contexts and social groups.

This type of analysis is still at a beginning stage in the LAC Region. Therefore, the understanding of the role currently played by these technologies in our societies is usually based on impressions, “good wishes” and, in the best of cases, on some partial studies. This already poses a first problem at the time of evaluating the current situation in terms of access, appropriation, uses and differential impacts of ICTs in the Region and, based on this information, suggesting and implementing effective strategies and policies to ensure full gender equality in this field.

For that reason, giving priority to investigation for action is, in our opinion, a fundamental challenge in this phase of ICT expansion in Latin America. This will provide us with reliable data to get round two equally false beliefs: on the one hand the idealization of their capability for transforming economy, culture, political life and for leveling all sorts of disparities, including gender; and on the other hand their “demonization” due to their alleged negative influence on the cultures, the subjectivities and the lifestyles of the LAC societies.

In the meantime, we share Burch’s belief that "Information technology obviously will not solve the world's problems. But wisely deployed and developed, it has proven to be a powerful tool for advancing social causes. One of the social groups that has been most dynamic in using this technology innovatively for social progress, is the women's movement; and in many aspects, the South has exerted leadership in this process”.

In this document we will present basic information on the expansion of ICTs in the Region, stating the major gaps. We will also present the results of some studies, and of a recent electronic consultation, which give evidence of the progress, obstacles and recommendations for policies and programs that strengthen gender equality in and through ICTs.

 

Full text document in pdf format: http://www.eclac.cl/mujer/noticias/noticias/4/12634/GBonder.pdf

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