T.N. Andrew

Publications (2)0 Total impact

• Conference Proceeding: Information and Communication Technology policy imperatives for rural women empowerment: focus on South Africa

  M.K. Joseph, T.N. Andrew
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  ABSTRACT: It has been established that information and communication technologies (ICTs) are key drivers for rural development. However, while many countries such as India and South Africa have made significant investments in rural ICT infrastructure and its developmental spin-offs, rural women are still neglected when it comes to access to ICTs. This neglect is evident in the ICT policy initiatives in South Africa as an example, where the relevant policies lack any significant or direct attention to rural women's development. If ICT policies do not address the gendered digital divide in rural areas gender inequality will be encouraged. This paper gives insights on how information exchange by means of ICTs such as Internet, mobile phones and radio could foster economic growth and empowerment of rural women in South Africa. In addition, the paper discusses the role of relevant stakeholders in ICT policy formulation for more effective and appropriate communication, and innovative ways of using ICTs for women empowerment in rural areas. The authors make recommendations for ICT policy development that would better serve the needs of rural women leading to their empowerment.
  AFRICON, 2009. AFRICON '09.; 10/2009
• Conference Proceeding: Participatory approaches for the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTS) for rural farmers

  M.K. Joseph, T.N. Andrew
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  ABSTRACT: One of the prime ingredients for rural development in developing countries is information access. Although the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) revolution in these countries has gained momentum, most of the farming communities still have no access to value added information. The agricultural researcher and the farming community need to enhance their knowledge by increased dasiafarmer participationpsila in research. This paper makes a strong case for the use of participatory approaches involving farming community for development and adoption of ICT in the agricultural sector. It acknowledges that farmers are knowledgeable and encourages researchers to work with farmers and development workers for agricultural improvements. This paper discusses how digital ICT developed by means of participatory learning and action research can spur development and eradicate poverty by providing services to farmers in rural areas. It also highlights how participatory approaches can empower collective groups of farmers and help to put decision-making in the hands of the farmers. Although no single ICT will be satisfactory for farmers, the use of a wide range of ICTs in agriculture can improve the livelihood of the farmers in rural areas and help in their socio-economic growth. The paper focuses on various participatory approaches such as participatory communication and participatory learning for effective use of ICTs in agricultural domain. It highlights how participatory approaches can assist in dasiaparticipatory information and communication technology developmentpsila for rural farming community.
  Technology and Society, 2008. ISTAS 2008. IEEE International Symposium on; 07/2008