Digital Inclusion and Social Inequality: Gender Differences in ICT Access and Use in Five Developing Countries

Abstract

The diffusion of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) like computers and Internet provides great opportunities for the well-being of people in developing countries. Does this promise hold true for marginalized socioeconomic groups such as women? This article explores gender differences in ICT provision in Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, Ghana, and the Philippines, analyzing survey data with around 5,000 respondents who use public access ICT venues. In analyzing the gender differences we used the concept of digital inclusion—measured by various characteristics like skills, user attitude, and other related factors of two ICTs: computer and Internet. The findings show that women in Bangladesh are more likely to suffer from digital exclusion compared to the other countries. In exploring the factors for digital inclusion we found tertiary education and the ability to use ICTs at home significant. The findings further support, the argument, that the issue of digital inclusion needs to be seen in terms of the unique information needs of various socioeconomic groups and in specific social contexts.

Key Words:

• Gender
• digital inclusion
• social inequality
• public access ICTs