Abstract:
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has, within a very short span of time, turned out to be one of the basic building blocks of modern society. It is an important tool to help people communicate effectively, overcomes the limitations of time and space, empowers people by providing information and knowledge, provides income generating and learning opportunities, increases transparency and efficiency and enables people to express their concerns and to actively participate in decision making processes (Asian Development Bank, 2004). ICTs are becoming a vital engine of growth for the world economy. They have the potential to enable many enterprising individuals, firms, communities, in all parts of the planet, to address economic and social challenges with greater efficiency and imagination. ICTs and the Internet offer vast, new and unprecedented opportunities for human development and empowerment. The gender divide is one of the most significant inequalities to be amplified by the digital revolution, and cuts across all social and income groups. Inequality in women's access and participation in to communications system is the main cause of their insufficient mobilization to promote contribution to society. ICT has a great role in empowerment of women. It’s enhanced greater access to information, promoting knowledge, increase opportunities in employment, catalyzes to develop entrepreneurships and economic improvement etc. There are a number of challenges faced by the women community in terms of usage of ICT. ICTs have the potential to address these barriers to rural development through women empowerment by facilitating improved knowledge sharing and information exchange. The potential contribution of ICTs can enhance women empowerment initiatives. It is an important tool to help people communicate effectively, overcomes the limitations of time and space, empowers people by providing information and knowledge, provides income generating and learning opportunities, increases transparency and efficiency and enables people to express their concerns and to actively participate in decision making processes (Asian Development Bank, 2004). ICTs are becoming a vital engine of growth for the world economy. They have the potential to enable many enterprising individuals, firms, communities, in all parts of the planet, to address economic and social challenges with greater efficiency and imagination. ICTs and the Internet offer vast, new and unprecedented opportunities for human development and empowerment. The gender divide is one of the most significant inequalities to be amplified by the digital revolution, and cuts across all social and income groups. Inequality in women's access and participation in to communications system is the main cause of their insufficient mobilization to promote contribution to society. ICT has a great role in empowerment of women. It’s enhanced greater access to information, promoting knowledge, increase opportunities in employment, catalyzes to develop entrepreneurships and economic improvement etc. There are a number of challenges faced by the women community in terms of usage of ICT. ICTs have the potential to address these barriers to rural development through women empowerment by facilitating improved knowledge sharing and information exchange. The potential contribution of ICTs can enhance women empowerment initiatives.