A.S.M. Asaduzzaman
ICT, Gender and Empowerment: Community Information Centre in the Lives of Three Rural Communities in Bangladesh
This work-in-progress study has explored the potential roles of community information centres (telecentres) in the lives of a selected number of participants in three rural settings in Bangladesh. Based on shared access model, these ‘cyber kiosks’ have been set up with equipments including the Internet and the Web to provide information and ancillary cervices to rural populations. Using participant observation and in-depth interview methods for data collection, the study has investigated the issues relating to community members’ access to the telecentre as well as to the Internet, their information needs and usages, and the role (or non-role) of the Internet in their lives. A particular focus of the study has been on whether these telecentres have played any role in the empowerment of the participants who mainly include users of these centres. However, non-users have also been interviewed to explore their perspectives in relation to their perception about the telecentre as well as the Internet. The study has also pursued whether the introduction of ICT-based information services via these community information centres has bridged or conversely widened the ‘digital divide’ between and among different sections of the community.
The study has a gender lens; that is, it has explored differential experiences of participant men and women in relation to their use of (or not use of) telecentres as well as the Internet and its implications in their lives. The following questions have been investigated within the gender-dimension of the study: Is women’s experience the same as men’s when it comes to accessing the telecentres and the Internet? Do they enjoy opportunities and face problems in this regard in the same way, or differently? Are women’s expectations from and interpretation of the Internet the same as men’s? Are their any differences in needs and usage pattern between men and women? Do they view the effects of the telecentre as well as the Internet in relation to their empowerment in the same way, or are their any differences in this regard?Three types of telecentres depending on their varied ownership and/or management (i.e., individual ownership, non-government organization (NGO) ownership and government ownership) in three districts were selected for the research. At each site, a four-week long fieldwork was conducted since December 5, 2010 till March 5, 2011. Data processing is in progress currently.
Conference Paper: I presented the following paper at the IAMCR (International Association for Media and Communication Research) Conference in Istanbul in 2011:
Digital divide among the rural communities in Bangladesh: Can the ‘Info-lady’ be a bridge?
Professional Experience: I am currently on study leave from the University of Dhaka where I teach mass communication and journalism.
Previous education: I earned my BA (Hons.) and MA degrees in Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Dhaka. I earned my second MA degree in Media Studies at The New School in New York.