Gender, ICTs, and indicators: measuring inequality and change

Abstract

This article explores gender and information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the context of development, by analyzing a range of international ICT indices developed to measure broad access to and use of ICTs. This analysis highlights the relatively slow integration of specific gender-focused indicators into such indices, combined with the weak disaggregation of data by sex. The article also discusses a range of gender-specific indices followed by analysis of some more recent holistic measurement frameworks that help to illuminate how gender sensitivity can be practically integrated into broad-based communication for development (C4D) initiatives. The article concludes by considering some of the practical actions that can be taken to promote gender sensitivity at the program or initiative level.