[WSIS CS-Plenary] Fwd: Gender Advisory Board Comments on the Information Society

[Sophia Huyer]

Dear all,

For your information, here are our comments to the CSTD on the theme  
"Development-oriented policies for a socio-economic inclusive  
information society, including access, infrastructure and enabling  
environment".

Best,
Sophia Huyer

--
Sophia Huyer
Acting Director
Gender Advisory Board, UNCSTD
shuyer at wigsat.org
voice: 1-905-355-5124
fax: 1-647-723-5069
http://GAB.wigsat.org


> From: Sophia Huyer <shuyer at wigsat.org>
> Date: April 9, 2008 10:51:56 AM GMT-04:00
> To: UNCTAD - United Nations Commission on Science & Technology <un-cstd at list.unicc.org 
> >
> Subject: Gender Advisory Board Comments on the Information Society
>
> Dear all,
>
> Please find attached the Gender Advisory Board submission on the  
> substantive theme "Development-oriented policies for a socio- 
> economic inclusive information society, including access,  
> infrastructure and enabling environment".
>
> We have two main comments:
>
> 1) A focus on broadband internet access for socio-economic inclusion  
> is a positive goal. The concern of the Gender Advisory Board is that  
> an exclusive focus on this by the CSTD will not necessarily promote  
> socio-economic inclusion for the foreseeable future.  Based on  
> experience and analysis to date, current thinking on the use of ICTs  
> for poverty reduction and social inclusion is that a range of  
> technologies and strategies need to be used to ensure that all  
> groups in society are reached.  While broadband technology may one  
> day in the future be universal, the time lag to get to that point as  
> well as the higher costs of broadband will work against access for  
> the poorest, rural and most marginalized groups in all regions,  
> including in developed countries.
>
> The report makes two references to mobile phones, but the huge  
> potential of this technology to contribute to economic development  
> and poverty reduction in developing regions, especially Africa, is  
> not adequately covered.
>
> In addition, the use of low-tech and affordable ICTs by small and  
> medium enterprises in developing countries is one of the key  
> leverage points for economic development, and also not included in  
> the report.
>
> We recognize that CSTD has identified broadband technology as an  
> area where it can make a contribution, however, we feel that this  
> focus will not be effective unless there is recognition of the need  
> to combine introduction and use of broadband technologies with a  
> range of other ICTs to achieve real socio-economic inclusion in the  
> information society.  Therefore we would like to see some reference  
> to the value of developing a range of complementary internet/ICT  
> strategies which include technologies such as mobiles.
>
> 2) From a statistical analysis undertaken by Orbicom and Statistics  
> Canada in 2005 of existing sex-disaggregated data on ICT access and  
> use globally, we know that there are specific and cross-cutting  
> gender trends.  We also know from this data that unless specific and  
> targetted actions are taken to include women, they will not have the  
> same access or benefit to the same extent
>
>  from ICTs as men.
>
> Any strategies to implement broadband internet (or other ICTs) will  
> therefore need to include strategies to ensure that all groups in  
> society benefit, including but not restricted to women.
>
> We have made two recommendations for the CSTD draft proposal.
>
> 1) The Gender Advisory Board proposes that the following  
> recommendation be included:
>
> "CSTD can act as a forum for governments to share best practices and  
> information on a range of access strategies and technologies to  
> supplement broadband internet access and support all levels of  
> socioeconomic activity in a country, with a focus on reaching women  
> and people in rural areas."
>
> We also propose that it include the statement:
>
> "Universal [or broadband] access strategies will need to take into  
> account the differing opportunities, access to resources and  
> perspectives of different groups in society, including but not  
> restricted to women.  Specific strategies and targeting of  
> disadvantaged groups will ensure that all members of society benefit  
> from internet and ICT access, in particular those in rural areas."
>
>
> Thank you,
> Sophia
>
>
>
> --
> Sophia Huyer
> Acting Director
> Gender Advisory Board, UNCSTD
> shuyer at wigsat.org
> voice: 1-905-355-5124
> fax: 1-647-723-5069
> http://GAB.wigsat.org
> http://GSTGateway.wigsat.org
>


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