| Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) have played a significant role in development and have contributed to radical changes in some parts of the world in the past three decades or longer. At the same time, there are parts of the world where ICTs have not reached and there has been little or no development arising from the applications of these technologies. In some countries, women are not provided equal opportunities to access and use ICTs to improve their lives. This study reviews the literature in the field of ICTs for economic empowerment for women and will analyze some of the projects designed to use ICTs for women. The study uses a capabilities approach as the conceptual framework and employs qualitative techniques to collect data. Focus groups, interviews and document reviews are conducted with participants, staff members and development experts to evaluate the role of SEWA's ICT activities in changing capabilities. Nussbaum's list of capabilities based on the capabilities approach by Amartya Sen is used to provide indicators, based on which the questionnaire is designed. The social processes that affect women's ability to use ICTs also influence the analysis of the effectiveness of ICTs and capabilities. Most of the staff members reported a change in capabilities as compared to the participants of the ICT programs. However, some women did not report any change in capabilities as they refused to break social and family barriers. |
