Article,
The feasibility of ICT diffusion and use amongst rural women in South Africa
South African Journal of Library & Information Science, 72 (2): 108-118 (August 2006)M3: Article; Accession Number: 23276305; Kwake, Alice; Email Address: alice_kwake@hotmail.com Ocholla, Dennis N. 1; Email Address: docholla@pan.uzulu.ac.za Adigun, Mathew O. 2; Email Address: madigun@pan.uzulu.ac.za; Affiliation: 1: Professor and Head, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Zululand 2: Professor and Head, Department of Computer Science, University of Zululand; Source Info: 2006, Vol. 72 Issue 2, p108; Subject Term: INFORMATION technology; Subject Term: INFORMATION & communication technologies; Subject Term: COMMUNITY development; Subject Term: ENTREPRENEURSHIP; Subject Term: REGIONAL planning; Subject Term: DEMOGRAPHIC surveys; Subject Term: WOMEN in development; Subject Term: WOMEN employees; Subject Term: SOUTH Africa; NAICS/Industry Codes: 925120 Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development; Number of Pages: 11p; Document Type: Article.
Abstract
This study explores whether ICT use is feasible in the rural areas of South Africa. Using the survey method, women aged 16–60 were sampled to include: Small-scale traders (58, 29.0%): Housewives/homemakers (48; 24.0%); Farm employees (25, 12.5%), Domestic workers (18; 9.0%): Educators/teachers (16; 8.0%): Students (15, 7.5%), Entrepreneurs managing large-scale enterprises (3, 1.5%), Clerical workers (9, 4.5%); Community development workers (6, 3.0%) and Preachers (2: 1.0%). These 200 respondents formed the sampling size. Sampling data was obtained from Census household data of the magisterial districts of Umlalazi i.e. Eshowe, Amatikulu, Gigindlovu and Mtunzini. Using the snowball technique women respondents, directly and indirectly connected to each other, were identified, and consequently interviewed. The survey results indicate that access and exclusion are still predominant issues, as while a meager average of 11(5.5%) respondents use modern technologies such as the computer/internet, more than half (115: 57.5%) of the respondents surveyed face problems ranging from affordability, to distance and time. Additionally, there is a marked correlation between the respondents' level of education, type of ICTs' accessed and information needs and purposes. It was observed that singularly, ICTs are insufficient for significant benefits to emerge. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR; Copyright of South African Journal of Library & Information Science is the property of Forum Press International and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts)
Tags
- &
- africa
- communication
- community
- demographic
- development;
- employees;
- entrepreneurship;
- in
- information
- planning;
- regional
- south
- surveys;
- technologies;
- technology;
- women
