Information and Communication Technology and Gender Equity Policy

This work explores the interplay between information§and communication technology (ICT) and the engagement§of women in facilitating social, political and§economic development in traditional poor, rural,§communities of Mali, a least developed country. This§research applies international regime theory and§development as freedom theory to help explain how ICT§diffusion with gender equity enhances development for§women, family and therefore the nation. The§Multipurpose Community Telecentre (MCT) in Timbuktu§serves as a model for rural ICT development. Women§participated in the design, implementation and§operation of this MCT. The community open access§design was found to be particularly conducive to ICT§development through women s social networking.§Research indicates women are keepers of indigenous§knowledge systems in cultural communities. The§country data strongly suggest positive and§directional change in Mali during 1990 to 2000, a§period of dynamic telecommunications and gender§equity policy liberalization. This research found ICT§applications helped facilitate positive change in§health, education, politics and the economy in Mali.