#GirlTech— Bridging the Gender & Technology Divide: A #SocEntChat
Intel Corporation & Ashoka Changemakers launched an online competition to find the world's most innovative solutions that equip girls and women with new digital technologies—enabling them to live healthier, smarter, and more meaningful lives.
- Read more about the competition here. On June 27th @Changemakers & @IntelInvolved were joined by special guest Revi Sterling @atlas_ictd , founder and director of the first Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICTD) professional master’s program in the United States. Along with @VitalVoices and @10x10act for an engaging community discussion. @Ashoka fellows Donna Morton @First_Power , Sunil Abraham @sunil_abraham & Ken Banks @kiwanja also joined.
Revi Sterling will also be joining us on this conversation thread on the Changemakers site July 2-13 so keep tuned in for that! Here are some highlights from the #socentchat: - Q1: What are key barriers that innovators in the #girltech space must address? #SocEntChat
Barriers to entry for girls in tech is access, ability to use technology, finances esp in the developing world #socentchat #girltech
A1 Access definitely is key, but it must be defined culturally/locally in terms of literacy and (private) device usage #socentchat
A1: Access+ relevance! Women R less than 25% of Internet users Africa, 22% in Asia 38% in Latin America & 6% in Middle East #SocEntChat
A1 @Intelinvolved @changemakers Language barriers also create issues with regards to access to tech #socentchat
If tech is not viewed as useful for livelihoods or social connection - why spend money and time, both which are in short demand? #SocEntChat- A1: Innovators in the #girltech space need to address information barriers & reduce transaction costs associated w/ markets #SocEntChat
In many places women R responsible for child care. Even if there are telecentres available, they are not able to use them. #socentchat
My visitors say connectivity is a huge issue. Cell phones don't matter if you don't have a signal. #socentchat- @atlas_ictd Until girls and women get really involved with the production of technology, there will always be a barrier #socentchat
- A1: To end the gender divide, we need to get both genders involved in creating the technology. End-user input is critical. #SocEntChat
- @WeftyPDX YES! Tech isn't neutral. It was essential that women joined politics. It's equally important they develop technology #socentchat
- A1: Great ICRW report on barriers & the digital gender divide- talks about alot of these issues bit.ly/xlbDWY #SocEntChat
Women are actually the dominate media users in the US. Awesome @TED talk on Social Media &the End of Gender ht.ly/bRY9h #SocEntChat- Q2. In what ways can tech help women (especially those in the developing world) improve their health, education and well-being? #SocEntChat
- Mobiles are great for private information exchange - there's a lot women CAN'T say in many cultures. SDR/pirate radio too. #SocEntChat
Tech helps women connect to peers, info and mrkts they may not otherwise be able to access-even in developed nations! #Socentchat #girltech- A2: Tech helps women lead more secure, productive, connected lives. 9 in 10 Women Feel Safer Because of Their Mobile Phones #SocEntChat
- A2 Even technological solutions to global problems should be tailored & targeted: what works in 1 country won't work in another #socentchat
