Gender and ICT

What is the role of the public libraries of Kerala in the new knowledge society? What will be their new features? SPACE initiated a series of discussions by posing these questions to a set of rural public libraries in the state. Some of the concerns expressed by libraries related to the preservation of valuable books and records in their possession, documentation of local history and engaging younger members of the public in its activities.

SPACE conducted a two day workshop on ICT and New Media with the support of Student Christian Movement of India, Kerala region at St. Thomas College, Kozhencherry on May 3 and 4, 2012. 15 students, predominantly boys, participated in the workshop. The students were trained in various Internet tools and applications. The students were also trained in content management systems so as to help them publish their own content on the web.

25 women students of the Government College of Teacher Education, Thiruvananthapuram participated in a two day workshop on ICT and New Media. The workshop, among a series aimed at equipping women students in ICT and New Media, was conducted from 22-23 September 2011.

SPACE published a report of its study conducted among students of arts and science colleges in kerala to assess their access to ICT. The study conducted among 200 students, has identified a large gender disparity in ICT use, despite high computer literacy among students. The socio-cultural ethos of Kerala makes Internet out of bounds for girls, unless they are from high income groups who can afford connectivity at home. Although Internet cafes have proliferated the landscape of Kerala, these largely remain male domains.