Whereas men and women are both involved in the use of Information Communication Technologies ICTs they are confronted with varying socioeconomic challenge with the women bearing the brunt. Outside observed relative advantages of the men over the women in terms of literacy, Net educational enrolment and attendance, population distribution, women are more productive; women provide greater labour force for the production system, engage in more physical and longer hour jobs both at home and outside the home. Notwithstanding the integral roles performed by women for greater productivity as well as the growing indispensability of ICTs in daily socioeconomic activities women in Nigeria are yet to adequately find their place in the world of ICTs. A lot of negativity still plagues the relationship between the use of ICTs and several aspects of women socioeconomic characteristics such as age, marital status, education, income and occupation. Several sociocultural issues are identified as factors militating against women access and use of ICTs such as gender sensitive norms and traditions, lack of finance, low education, lack of mobility and time. Formulation of gender friendly policies, capacity training in ICTs application, provision of formal loan schemes to provide financial aid to women among others are recommended as measures necessary to improve the situation. Keywords: Socioeconomic characteristics, women productivity, ICT.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 OVERVIEW OF WOMEN PRODUCTIVITY
1.2 ICTs
1.3 SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS
1.4 SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN IN NIGERIA
1.4.1 Occupation
1.4.2 Income
1.4.3 Education
1.4.4 Age
1.5 WOMEN AND ICTs USE IN NIGERIA
1.5.1 Women Access and use of ICTs
1.5.2 Women Education –ICTs Relationship
1.5.3 Women Age-ICTs Relationship
1.5.4 Women’s Marital Status-ICTs Relationship
1.6 CONSTRAINTS TO WOMEN ACCESS AND USE OF ICTS IN NIGERIA
1.6.1 Women’s Mobility and Time Constraints
1.7 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Objectives and Topics
This paper explores the relationship between the socioeconomic characteristics of women in Nigeria—such as age, education, marital status, and occupation—and their usage of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). It aims to identify the sociocultural barriers hindering women's access to digital tools and suggests policy-driven solutions to foster inclusion and productivity.
- Analysis of women's productivity in the Nigerian agricultural and economic sectors.
- Evaluation of socioeconomic factors (education, income, age) influencing ICT adoption.
- Identification of barriers such as gender norms, lack of finance, and time constraints.
- Exploration of the digital divide and its impact on women’s participation in modern society.
- Proposals for gender-friendly policies and capacity-building programs.
Excerpt from the Book
SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS
Reaping the benefits of ICTs often predicate on the socioeconomic background of those who use the ICTs as well as the dynamics of the focus group involved. Socioeconomic characteristics are often measured as a combination of education, income, occupation, age, membership to social organizations, among others. It is commonly conceptualized as the social standing or class of an individual or group (American Psychological Association, 2002). When viewed through the lens of social class, privilege, power and control are emphasized. Socioeconomics affect overall human functioning, including development across life span, physical and mental health. Socioeconomic status as gradient or continuous variables reveal inequities in access to distribution of resources, with women mostly bearing the brunt. Studies indicate that women socioeconomics remains a key in determining the quality of life of women and the society as women’s demographics always have resulting effects on the lives of children and families. Low socioeconomic background of women in Nigeria and its correlations, such as poverty, lower education and poor health for children and families ultimately affect the society as a whole.
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: Provides an overview of Nigeria's human resource capacity and introduces the necessity of exploring women's productivity as a key development factor.
OVERVIEW OF WOMEN PRODUCTIVITY: Highlights the significant contribution of women to the Nigerian labour force, particularly in agriculture and food systems, despite systemic social disadvantages.
ICTs: Defines the scope of Information and Communication Technologies and explains their critical role in bridging digital and social divides.
SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS: Discusses how social standing, including education and income, influences an individual's ability to access and benefit from resources like technology.
SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN IN NIGERIA: Details specific occupational, income, educational, and age-related challenges that uniquely affect Nigerian women.
WOMEN AND ICTs USE IN NIGERIA: Examines the disparity in technology access between genders and analyzes how educational and marital status correlate with ICT adoption.
CONSTRAINTS TO WOMEN ACCESS AND USE OF ICTS IN NIGERIA: Identifies primary obstacles, including mobility issues, lack of finance, and technological illiteracy, which impede women's integration into the digital sphere.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Summarizes the necessity of gender-sensitive policies and capacity-building measures to empower women in the ICT domain.
Keywords
Socioeconomic characteristics, Women productivity, ICT, Nigeria, Digital divide, Gender mainstreaming, Education, Labor force, Technology access, Empowerment, Social norms, Financial inclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the socioeconomic factors that influence how women in Nigeria access and utilize Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).
What are the central themes discussed in this study?
The central themes include women's economic productivity, the gender-based digital divide, sociocultural barriers to technology, and the role of education and income in ICT adoption.
What is the primary goal of the author?
The primary goal is to analyze why women are not yet fully integrated into the world of ICTs and to recommend policy interventions that promote digital inclusion and gender equality.
Which research methodology is implied by this study?
The paper utilizes a literature-based review and secondary data analysis, synthesizing reports and statistics from various demographic and economic studies to establish trends.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers the overview of women's productivity, the definition of ICTs, socioeconomic variables (occupation, age, education), and specific constraints such as time and finance.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include Socioeconomic characteristics, Women productivity, ICT, Digital divide, Gender mainstreaming, and Empowerment.
How does marital status affect ICT access among women in Nigeria?
The research notes that younger, single women often show a better disposition and higher access rates to ICTs compared to married, divorced, or widowed women, partly due to life stages and peer influence.
What are the specific recommendations provided to improve women's ICT adoption?
The author recommends incorporating gender perspectives into development programs, simplifying the language of ICT devices, and increasing women's access to formal financial services to support capacity building.
- Quote paper
- Okoroma Emmanuel (Author), 2012, Socioeconomic characteristics of women and ICT use in Nigeria, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/198902
