The interface between gender mainstreaming and Information Communication Technology (ICT) in selected African countries

In Africa, e-government reform can be dated back to 1996 when the Information Society Initiative (AISA) was adopted at the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Thereafter, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) established an ICT task force that was mandated to evaluate the e-readiness of SADC member states (cf SADC, 2008) to use technology as an avenue for better collaboration between government and citizens. However, there are a number of obstacles to internet accessibility on the continent. This situation is particularly dire for women. The Mainstreaming Gender Equality (MGE) and Gendered/Technology as Culture approaches serve as theoretical underpinning. Both these research approaches are used as tools to identify gender gaps and to provide possible solutions to create equal opportunities for women in the ICT sector in Africa. The methodology is based on a desktop analysis, which entails a comprehensive literature study including official documents to conceptualise and contextualise the area of investigation. The methodological approach focuses on specific dimensions of unobtrusive research techniques, such as conceptual and document analysis. The findings explore whether incorporating gender mainstreaming and technology can be realised if African countries implement appropriate national ICT and gender policies. Building a gender-based, technologically progressive continent is not beyond reach. The future may see this African potential unfold. After closely scrutinising available literature, articles and official reports, the authors deduced that policymakers need to conduct a gender analysis of country-specific ICT policies to identify specific gaps that require improvement.