23 Pgs., Information and Communication Technology is a potent force in the developing world for social, economic and educational transformation of individuals, agencies and institutions. This study examined the veritable roles of ICT in empowering rural women farmers in Rivers State. The specific objectives were to examine the demographic characteristics of the respondents, identify ICT devices in use by the respondents; information needs of the respondents, the roles of ICTs in rural women empowerment and constraints to the use of ICT devices by the respondents. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from respondents and oral interview where necessary. The respondents were 120 rural women farmers purposively selected from the farmers list obtained from the ADP (Agricultural Development Project) Office in the Area. The results indicate that 54.2% of the respondents are married, 57.5% with secondary education, 52.5% hold a farm size of 0.25 – 1 hectare of land. ICT devices in use include mobile phones, television, radio and other devices. They need information on inputs, prices, markets, produce demand, new practices and technologies. ICT play various roles in empowering the women such as offering entrepreneurial opportunity, breaking isolation, providing linkages to inputs and markets, assisting small and medium size business, reducing poverty, and illiteracy and improving income and savings of rural women. The problems affecting use of ICT devices include absence and erratic supply of electricity, lack of ICT skills, low level of awareness etc. Government should provide basic amenities to the rural dwellers to improve their socio-economic well-being.
Francis, Paul (author) and Amuyunzu-Nyamongo, Mary (author)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
2006
Published:
Kenya
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C37119
Notes:
See C37118 for original, Pages 219-244 in Ian Bannon and Maria C.Correia (eds.), The other half of gender: men's issues in development. World Bank, Washington, D.C. 311 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 32 Document Number: D10616
Notes:
12 pages., via website, Health Communication Capacity Collaborative., U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID Guatemala)and the Health Communication Capacity Collaboration(HC3)of Johns Hopkins University led this strategy in Guatemala from 2012-2016.
