Accelerating Development Using the Web

Empowering Poor and Marginalized Populations

Full 292-Page Report:http://public.webfoundation.org/publications/accelerating-development/Accelerating%20Development%20Using%20the%20Web.pdf

Executive Summary - 6 Pages http://public.webfoundation.org/publications/accelerating-development/Executive%20Summary.pdf

CHAPTER 11 - GENDER

· Gender159

http://public.webfoundation.org/publications/accelerating-development/Chapter%2011_Gender.pdf

· Origins of the Concern for Gender Issues in the Internet and Information Society in Developing Countries159

Do poor women need information technology?
Can illiterate women use technology?160
Rising Waters Do Not Lift All Boats160
The Need for Gender Analysis161
Challenges to Women Accessing and Using the Internet161

· How can ICTs Serve Women and Development?166

What do we mean by development for women?166
What can women gain from the Internet?166
Content, Supply and Demand168
Best Practices168
What media do marginalized women in developing countries use?169
What information and communication media/networks do poor women in developing countries use?169
Places of Use170
Telecenters170
ICTD: The shift from Telecenters to Mobiles172
Willingness to pay high costs for communication173
Economic and Social Development Benefits of Mobile Telephony for Women173
Current Work to Ameliorate Impediments175
GSMA- mobile corporate interests enter ICTD175

· New Developments177

Combining mobile with the Web: more access, more information, more interactivity177

· Prospects and Promising Areas of Future Work177

Low-cost phones178

· Positive, proactive programs for women and the Web178

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The World Wide Web Foundation is proud to announce the publication of Accelerating Development Using the Web: Empowering Poor and Marginalized Populations. The book is a compendium of articles by recognized experts describing the real and potential effects of the World Wide Web in all major aspects of economic and social development.

The book fills a gap in the current store of knowledge by taking a broad view, offering detailed commentary from fourteen experts who are deeply engaged in the field of ICTs for development, many with extensive experience in developing countries, and each able to emphasize the key questions, challenges, and successes unique to their field.

The research unites themes of technological innovation, international development, economic growth, gender equality, linguistic and cultural diversity and community action, with special attention paid to the circumstances surrounding the poor and vulnerable members of the Global Information Society.

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