Why do women in developing countries need ICTs when they have more basic needs- such as survival, clean water and food?
This is an interesting debate. Limited evidence so far suggests that the poor are willing to spend a significant proportion of their income on ICTs if by using them they can see real economic benefits. For example, a World Bank report showed that, in Chile, the poorest sections of society spend as much on telecommunications as on water and electricity combined (Kenny, et. al., 2000). Another research issue relates to whether the emergent information society can be seen as a knowledge society. Some of the ways ICT can contribute to improving the lives of women and girls include: • they can provide information on agriculture, weather, pricing and marketing to support women’s food production and income-earning enterprises. • they can provide information to help women care for their families and improve their well-being • they can make girls literate and educated In short, ICTs can be a way to help fulfil the basic needs of both women and men, such as food, shelter, and health and well-bei
