Gender Equality and Poverty Reduction in the Knowledge Society

The emphasis on ICT as a tool of economic and social empowerment for underprivileged women raises new research questions that are relevant both for advocacy and project work by NGOs as well as for policy intervention by national and international bodies. The paper assesses women’s access to and use of ICTs for social empowerment and poverty reduction.
The overall purpose of the paper is to provide policy makers with an awareness of key issues and understanding of strategies, approaches and resources; and to promote the development of ICT projects, systems and infrastructure that will contribute to poverty reduction.