Seminar on Gender mainstreaming in E-Government : Bringing Women into the inner circle of the digital arena in Africa ''Cutting-edge ideas on “bringing women into the inner circle of the digital arena in Africa: building bridges and confronting the barriers.” A UNDP Perspective Pierre Dandjinou, PNUD/SURF

TALKING POINTS 1.Why a UNDP Focus on ‘’Engendering’’ ICTD policies and programmes? 2.Mapping UNDP’s experience in mainstreaming gender into egovernance 3.Lessons learnt and innovative ideas 4.Conclusion In most developing countries, women are less likely than men to use the Internet because they do not have access, they do not have skills, they do not have disposable income or they do not have time and/or interest. Therefore the notion those ICTs can be a vehicle for making government services and public participation more widespread is flawed by the simple fact that men and women have different user patterns. From this perspective, the move towards digitization of government services may be further marginalizing women. - Dr Eva Rathgeber, Carleton University

Why a UNDP Focus on ‘’Engendering’’ ICTD policies and programmes? To prevent an adverse impact or a perpetuation of existing social and gender-based inequities To leverage positive development benefits for women and men

Mapping UNDP’s experience in programmes and initiatives addressing ICT and Gender Focusing on ICTD Strategies and Policies Strengthening Capacities. Deploying ICT for Development.

Gender in ICT for Development - Recent trends, lessons learned and innovative ideas “Engendering” ICT Policies and Strategies Flexibility in Universal Service/Access Obligations and Fund Cost-effective technologies and affordable pricing schemes Low taxes and duties Training programmes Focus on locally relevant content..

LESSONS LEARNED Lesson learned #1: A strategic focus and practical examples can help to make the case for gender equity Lesson Learned #2: Women’s participation in policy is important but not sufficient for impact Lesson Learned #3:There needs to be a strong focus on inclusion Lesson Learned #4: The concept of "universal access" is not gender neutral Lesson Learned #5 Engendered ICT policies need to be complemented by supportive industrial and poverty reduction strategies (PRS/PRSP) and programmes to have a greater development impact

LESSONS LEARNED C’ED Lesson Learned #6: Capacity development strategies need to specifically reach out to both men and women – differently where necessary Lesson Learned #7: Development Content is key, but the focus should not be on “ICT applications” but on development needs that ICT can be used to address. Lesson #8: It is critical to involve both men and women in information and development needs assessments and secure community support if the content and development focus for ICT is to serve the communities well. Lesson #9: Outreach strategies need to make clear that a gender-aware approach to ICT for development seeks to ensure that technology is used to address rather than exacerbate existing inequities Lesson Learned # 10: Gender-aware and responsive/ Program /Project Design/Gender-aware participatory assessment: Gender-disaggregated data

Gender Responsive E- Governance Cluster I: Fostering Inclusive Participation Cluster II: Strengthening Responsive Government Institutions Cluster III: Integrating UN Principles into Democratic Governance

CONCLUSION Following recommendations can be made to more effectively mainstream gender in e-governance programmes: Undertake gender analysis to identify gender-specific gaps in the stakeholder community. Encourage participation by the community, and especially by women, in prioritizing critical needs and gaps. Increase awareness among women and men of the potential opportunities ICTs can create, in particular regarding participation in public policy and local community networks. Develop local capacity, especially of women and older people, who might be at a disadvantage in using ICTs. Create synergies between ongoing governance and ICT programmes. Propose concrete ICT tools and applications to address previously identified gender needs and gaps. Monitor programme implementation with a focus on the participation and empowerment of women and men.