abstract: 'Purpose - This study examines the problem of unequal access to the

  Caribbean ICT industry on the part of women, and considers causes,

  consequences and possible solutions. The latter includes integrating

  gender perspectives in ICT policies and programmes to increase access

  for all to education and employment opportunities for national

  development.

  Methodology/approach - Mixed Methods research techniques (questionnaire

  surveys, elite interviews and focus group discussions) were used to

  collect data from national stakeholders in Jamaica and St Lucia.

  Findings - Despite policy commitments to gender equality and the

  deployment of ICTs to promote development, significant gaps persist

  between policy and practice. Results show that disadvantages in ICT

  access for women result in gender differences in sector involvement.

  Gender socialisation and the resulting discrimination in education and

  employment undermine commitments to inclusive development. Consequences

  include untapped opportunities for innovation, efficiency and business

  along the ICT value chain relating to development.

  Research limitations - Case studies only represent Anglophone Caribbean

  and may not reflect all subregional contexts.

  Practical implications - The paper demonstrates the value of collecting,

  analysing and using data disaggregated by sex to identify needs of

  vulnerable groups relating to inclusive development.

  Social implications - Equitable access to ICTs for women through

  training, community Internet-access-points, and support to

  establish/expand Micro Small and Medium-sized Enterprises will enable

  women to combine paid and unpaid family caregiving work and to

  participate in the ICT value chain.

  Originality/value - There is a dearth of gender-based analysis of ICT

  policymaking in the Caribbean. The paper contributes theoretical,

  methodological and policy analysis geared towards understanding and

  promoting inclusive access and gender equality in ICTs for sustainable

  development in the Caribbean.'
affiliation: 'Dunn, LL (Corresponding Author), Univ West Indies Mona, Inst Gender
  \& Dev Studies, Mona Unit, Kingston, Jamaica.

  Dunn, Leith L., Univ West Indies Mona, Inst Gender \& Dev Studies, Mona Unit, Kingston,
  Jamaica.

  Samuels, Ayanna T., World Bank, 1818 H St NW, Washington, DC 20433 USA.

  Samuels, Ayanna T., Caribbean Dev Bank, St Michael, Barbados.

  Samuels, Ayanna T., Univ West Indies Consulting Co, Kingston, Jamaica.'
author: Dunn, Leith L. and Samuels, Ayanna T.
author_list:
- family: Dunn
  given: Leith L.
- family: Samuels
  given: Ayanna T.
booktitle: 'COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES ANNUAL: DIGITAL EMPOWERMENT:

  OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF INCLUSION IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE

  CARIBBEAN'
da: '2023-09-28'
doi: 10.1108/S2050-206020160000012005
editor: Robinson, L and Schulz, J and Dunn, HS
files: []
isbn: 978-1-78635-481-5; 978-1-78635-482-2
issn: 2050-2060
keywords: 'Gender-sensitive research; gender mainstreaming; females; ICT policy;

  Caribbean development; ICT4D'
language: English
number-of-cited-references: '52'
pages: 65-91
papis_id: 2d870330676f1e927e607ba2d3db6877
ref: Dunn2017genderequity
series: Studies in Media and Communications
times-cited: '0'
title: GENDER EQUITY AND ACCESS IN THE CARIBBEAN ICT SECTOR
type: article
unique-id: WOS:000410833100005
usage-count-last-180-days: '0'
usage-count-since-2013: '3'
volume: '12'
web-of-science-categories: Communication; Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary; Sociology
year: '2017'