APC and UgaBYTES join forces to evaluate Gender and ICTs

On the 6th of August 2008, Dafne Plou- an APC facilitator on GEM with telecentres- touched down in Uganda on a mission of evaluating how ICTs impact the community within gender lines.

The six day visit had her meet the four man GEM team at UgaBYTES initiatives as well as visit two telecentres (Buwama Community Multimedia Centre and Kawolo telecentres ).

The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is a global network of civil society organisations whose mission is to empower and support organisations, social movements and individuals in and through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). GEM is a guide to integrating a gender analysis into evaluations of initiatives that use Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for social change.

GEM provides a means for determining whether ICTs are really improving women's lives and gender relations as well as promoting positive change at the individual, institutional, community and broader social levels.

http://www.apcwomen.org/gemkit/home.htm

http://www.apcwomen.org/gem/?q=telecenters

The GEM team at UgaBYTES initiatives is headed by Sarah Mpagi and comprises of Betty Iyamuremye, Bob Kibirango, Francis Mwathi and Ivan Kitandwe.

During the two workshops the facilitators we able to capture a number of issues from the community members at the two telecentres.

Each member was required to write down their expectations from the workshops : Some participants wanted to know exactly what the project was all about, how the project would help in their development among others.

When asked on their views regarding women access to ICTs, their responses were mixed . While some noted that women lagged behind mainly because of cultural inhibitions, high illiteracy and low income levels among women, others noted that women were more enthusiastic to ICTs which has made them positively fight illiteracy, created job openings and made them more aware of other gender related issues and rights.

These workshops were the first leg in advocating for equal access to ICTs to both male and females of all ages and it was indeed a good start.However it was clear that sustainability of telecentres is still an issue that needs to be addressed to fully realise the full potential of ICTs especially in rural areas.

Kawolo telecentre has not had internet for sometime now while the Buwama community radio needs to increase its area of coverage but is seriously hampered by lack of funds to buy the new equipment required.

To view pictures of Dafne's visit to Uganda click on the link below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26741789@N04/sets/72157606662550136/