[UgaBYTES] APC and UgaBYTES join forces to evaluate Gender and ICTs

[Francis Mwathi]

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 Kibiranogo, 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/