Pioneered in Uganda by IWTC and IDRC/Nairobi working in partnership with the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology, Media One, community groups such as Council for Economic Empowerment of Women (CEEWA), Isis-WICCE and the Uganda YWCA, the technical specifications that guided the development of the new information tool were that it be used on basic computer systems at rural telecentres, require minimal technical know-how to operate, and not rely on access to the internet or worldwide web. The educational requirements were that the content material be accessible to an audience with little or no reading skills, be seen as having immediate value and be in the language of the community. Furthermore, and from a practical perspective, the new tool needed to be affordable in cost and adaptable into other languages to ensure widespread replicability and viability.
An underlying premise of this project was that the audience for this new information tool would be first time users of computers. It was also assumed that a rural woman's initial experience in using this new information tool would be important in determining whether the woman became a repeat user of facilities in the telecentres. In short, the new tool was expected to deliver not only useful information but also a positive experience.
The end product is a CD-ROM that uses a simple browser navigating system
with graphic interface and spoken text. The content for the new CD-ROM was
drawn and adapted from two primary sources: From Boardroom to Burning Sun:
Interviews with 75 Successful Entrepreneurs in Uganda by Peg Snyder which
offered a wealth of information on "best practices" of successful
entrepreneurial women, and the small business training manual, Marketing
Strategies, developed by the Overseas Education Fund (OEF) and field-tested
extensively among low-income women in Africa. The CD-ROM is currently
available in English and Luganda language versions. (FLASH plugin required to view the CD-ROM websites)
"It was astonishing to see the active and vocal role played by the women farmers themselves in demanding that their telecentre be rebuilt after being burned to the ground. They wanted their computer programme back and nothing would stand in their way! They have become greatly empowered in the one year since the first field test of the programme in February 2001, and now are outspoken in their support for the project, for the information given, and for future possibilities. There is no comparison between the quiet, timid, almost apologetic group of women who first sat down to discuss the possibility of a programme that would allow them to use the computers at the telecentre for the first time...and the group of women today, who are lining up at the computers for a chance to use the programme, or to show someone else how to use it. The pride on their faces that they have had a part to play in this is infectious. And to see a mother showing her school-age child how to use the computer is wonderful to watch. These were women who were accustomed to being laughed at just one year ago when they even approached a computer, much less touched it."
"In the meeting held on 1st February 2002, Nakaseke women developed an idea of formulating an association to share the benefits of co-operation. The mission of the association is to empower Nakaseke women by integrating ICT skills into their day to day income generating activities for development. Nakaseke Women Development Association (NAWODA) is moving towards targeting Nakaseke women with information and services using approaches that move the services to places where Nakaseke women convene, rather than moving individual women to service points."
Henry comments on:
"With a lot of your combined effort and courage, Nakaseke women have started using computers and also developed a culture of reading. This has not only benefited them, but also their families as well, because they have encouraged their children to develop a culture of reading and this has increased the number of students visiting the Telecentre Library of which in the long-run will increase the academic performance of their children. In this regard, Nakaseke women are forwarding their appreciation to you particularly and IWTC in general for the lovely heart and spirit of empowering women with skills for development."
"As a computer instructor, I will volunteer in training Nakaseke women in deferent computer packages like word processors, spreadsheets, Data base management systems, presentation soft wares and use of Internet and E-mail."
"Despite of having the aforementioned strength, NAWODA is likely to face challenges such as the following. a) In order to integrate ICTs in income generating activities, there is need to have Nakaseke women fully trained in computer skills and this presupposes that we need to have at least one computer set, to enable Nakaseke women to have free computer access in favor of their convenient time. b) Looking at farming as their major economic activity, NAWODA has got a challenge of getting modern farming equipment like watering cans, sprays, pesticides, improved seeds which will result into health yields which can favorably compete on both local and international markets. c) Searching for friends and women organizations which will link NAWODA to markets of its products and also boast fundraising for self-sustainability of NAWODA."
Ugandan women farmers go hi-tech, BBC News, July 2002.
The 70-Year-Old Computer Wizard, allAfrica.com, October 2002.
A New Tool To Open Access to Information for Rural Women Farmers in Africa, Anne S. Walker, Executive Director, IWTC, November 2002.
~~~~~~~~~~ Photo Gallery ~~~~~~~~~~
Anastasia, a 70-year-old farmer and widow, was the first to try out the CD-ROM programme. This was in February 2001 at the Nakaseke Telecenter. Since then, Anastasia has traveled far and wide telling women about the project. In October 2001, she travelled to New York to help launch the CD-ROM.
| Click image for full picture |
![]() Anastasia at computer |
![]() Anastasia with group |
![]() Group at computer |
![]() Women at computer |
![]() Woman at market |
Last update: November-11, 2002