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Communication technology, gender and development in Malawi

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Communication technology, gender and development in Malawi

Kaimila-Kanjo, Grace (1992) Communication technology, gender and development in Malawi. Masters thesis, Concordia University.

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Abstract

This study gives an alternative view regarding the alienation of African women from technology. Proceeding with a careful analysis of development communication theories, both old and newer theories are seen as inadequate in clarifying the patterns of Third World development because they do not consider gender as a necessary variable in the development process. Present feminist theories of technology, particularly those in the Women in Development school (WID), are also viewed as inadequate in explaining the alienation of African women from technology, as they mainly point to economic and legal factors. This study posits that the process of technology transfer has to be considered in the context of the socio-cultural base of African societies, especially in relation to the sexual division of labour. Using Malawi as a case study, the study demonstrates that the main cause of African women's alienation from technology goes beyond mere economic and legal factors. African women's gender-roles confine them to routine, mostly unskilled chores. When advanced technologies are imported, the women are not prepared for the jobs generated by the new technologies, and do not have the chance to even use them. Thus the benefits of using new technologies are accrued almost exclusively by men. If development efforts are to benefit all (or at least) the majority of the people, then a transformation of gender roles is necessary

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Arts and Science > Communication Studies
Item Type:Thesis (Masters)
Authors:Kaimila-Kanjo, Grace
Pagination:x, 129 leaves ; 29 cm.
Institution:Concordia University
Degree Name:M.A.
Program:Communication Studies
Date:1992
Thesis Supervisor(s):Valaskakis, Gail
Identification Number:HE 8497 K35 1992
ID Code:2745
Deposited By: Concordia University Library
Deposited On:27 Aug 2009 19:20
Last Modified:13 Jul 2020 19:53
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