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Main issues rural women experience with information &
Main issues rural women experience with information &
communication technology communication technology
Teresa Maiolo
Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia
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Part of the Communication Technology and New Media Commons, Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, and the Other Computer Sciences Commons
Recommended Citation Recommended Citation
Maiolo, T. (2000), Main issues rural women experience with information & communication technology.
Department of Agriculture, Perth. Report.
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MAIN ISSUES RURAL WOMEN EXPERIENCE WITH INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY
“I thinkthe technologyis thereasa toolitisnotthereofitselfitisameans toand end. It’sa caseofwellwhatare we doingthatthe technologycan helpus dobetter”
“Itisafamiliarity. Isuppose itislike acolourtelevision, beforeeverybodygotcolour televisionitis veryhardtovisualise whatitwouldbe like. Buteverybodyhasgotitnowand nobody woulddreamofwatchingblackandwhite TViftheyhadthe choice”
Teresa Maiolo
Commissioned and Sponsored by:
AGRICULTURE WESTERN AUSTRALIA EDITH COWAN UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ANDTRADE
OFFICEOF INFORMATIONAND COMMUNICATIONS
Wl EDITH COWAN UNIVERSITY
PERTH WESTERNAUSTRALIA
COMMERCE
Agriculture
GOVERNMENTOFWESTERNAUSTRALIAWESTERNAUSTRALIA
January 2000
INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGYIN RURAL WESTERN AUSTRALIA, FOCUSING ON RURAL WOMEN.
This brief reportwill outline the main issues rural women encountered with information and communicationstechnology. This information was derived from interviewing twenty-one rural womenfromthe SouthWest, Eastern Goldfields, Murchison, Gascoyne, and Kimberley regions ofWestern Australia. Recommended actionsare given to address each ofthemain issues.
AREAS OF IMPORTANCE Issues:
Thetechnology’sabilityto increase ruralwomen’s involvement in
governmentdecision-making.
• Accesstocommunication and information -Two essential ingredients in decision-making.
Ruralwomen’s use of informationand communication technology.
• Varietyoftechnology use among rural women.
• Currentuses-work, education, meetings.
Limitations and areas ofconcern with informationand communication technology.
• Notthe total solution, but ithelps.
• Overarching people obstaclesto using technology.
• Practicalconcerns- money, weather, preparation, travelling.
• Individual technology limitations.
Infrastructure. • Obstaclesto resolve in orderto progress futurepossibilities.
Benefits in using information and
communicationtechnology. • Fits in with busyschedules - Rural women’s responsibilities, resources and with otherpeople whothey are contacting.
• Accessto information and increase communication.
• Provide opportunities.
• Gives women avoice.
Support. • Trainingobjectives.
• The scopeoftraining- Principlesto keep in mind.
• Government support.
• Oncea technology user-still require support.
AREAS OFIMPORTANCE Issues:
Future Opportunities. • Self- Empowerment Opportunities:
> Personal developmentand new opportunities.
> Trainingand education.
> Awarenessofthetechnologies potential.
> Attitude.
> Support.
Future Opportunities. • Hardware and Infrastructure Opportunities:
> Mobile service.
> Interactive communication.
> Greateropportunitiesto use information and communication technology.
Future Opportunities. • Service Provision Opportunities:
> Meetings.
> Seekinformation.
> Greateraccess.
> Telehealth.
> Communication with Politicians and Ministers in state and local
government.
> Communityand organisation’s opportunities.
AREAS OF IMPORTANCE Recommended Actions:
Thetechnology’s abilityto increase rural women’s involvement in
government decision-making.
• Redefinedecision-making for
government: provide a repertoireof ways that l&C technology can be used. This action be integrated in Government’stwo-yearaction planfor women.
• Develop online rural and regional networks.
Rural women’s useofinformation and communicationtechnology.
• Acknowledge the diversity in rural people’s skills.
• Promote currentuses of l&C technology byrural people.
• Develop a networksimilartofarmer’s Online Network.
• Address the issues of limited infrastructure.
Limitationsand areasofconcernwith information and communication technology.
Focus on people-whattheywantto do and notthetechnology-their needs.
Ensure ruralcommunity leadersare positive and regard the importance of using l&C.
Tailor l&Ctechnologytraining tothe diverse needs of rural people.
Provide case studiesto rural women and men. Include differenttypesof Information and communication technologies, and purposes.
Infrastructure. • Promoteprojects such as Online Farmwide Networkwhich accelerate all componentsofthedemand.
• Provide optionsto rural people
acknowledgingtheir differentlevels of l&C technologyinfrastructure.
i
AREAS OF IMPORTANCE Recommended Actions:
Benefits in using information and • communication technology.
Promote the benefits ofusing l&C technology.
Promote to rural women new opportunities, through using l&C technology.
Promote personal contact.
Inform governmentagencies ofthe benefits rural people experience through using l&C technology.
Inform governmentagencies of new waysto communicatewith rural women.
Support. Training focused on specificpurposes oroutcomes, and targetedtospecific groups of rural people.
The scopeoftraining be expandedto includethe diversityofpeople -age, culture, proficiencylevel, and
purpose.
There be avarietyoftraining formats tocaterforthe diversity ofrural people.
A non-threatening training environment is essential.
Governmentacceleratethe
telecommunication’s infrastructure.
Future Opportunities. Consider the following ideas as projects:
• Coordinate Ministers and Councillors to communicatewith the people using l&Ctechnology.
• Instigateaction to developgreater access ofeducation and training online.
• Tailortechnologytraining and
awareness tospecifically include rural women, as the ruralwomen arethe turning pointfor l&C technology uptake in rural communities.
i
INFORMATION &COMMUNICATIONTECHNOLOGY Thisbrief reportwill outlinethe main issues rural women encounteredwith information and communicationstechnology. This information was derivedfrom interviewingtwenty-one rural women fromtheSouthWest, Eastern Goldfields, Murchison, Gascoyne, and Kimberley regionsofWestern Australia.
1. THETECHNOLOGY’SABILITIYTO INCREASE RURALWOMEN’S INVOLVEMENTIN GOVERNMENT DECISION-MAKING
SummaryInformation From The RuralWomen’sInterviews:
1.1
1.1a AccessToCommunication and Information-Two Essential Ingredients In Decision-Making
• Information andcommunication (l&C) technology increases ruralwomen’sability togive input andcommunicate. Itallows greateraccessibilitytocontact rural communities. Consequentlyproviding greatercontactwith the ‘grass roots’
people.
• l&Ctechnology isnot asubstitute forallface-to-facecontact. Theprime use and advantage ofthis technology isitprovides moreflexibilityand more opportunities tocommunicate. This isan importantboundary of l&C technology.
• Rural women needefficientand easy accessto information, and communication tobe involved in governmentdecision-making. Currently, ruralwomen have basic, insufficientandcostly information and communicationtools. Thissituation adversely impacts onwomen’s own resourcesoftime, money, andenergy.
Thesedemands areexacerbated in situationswhere resourcesare scare and limited, such as rural community’s having no 24-hourpower.
• l&Ctechnology enables decision-making processestofit into rural women’s current commitments and responsibilities. Consequently rural womenviewthis technology asa platform forself-empowermentand theirinclusion incommunity change.
• Ruralwomen are interested in technology because it canprovide themwith new opportunities, andservices. Theyview l&C technologyas ameans to an end.
• An expanded understandingof meetings is needed if l&Ctechnologyis used for decrsion-making. Tofacilitatethis expandedview it is essentialthat information on howtechnologycan be usedfordecision-making is given to relevant people.
This information would include the advantages, and the bestscenariosto use l&C technology in decision-making.
• Using l&Ctechnologyfordecision-making forums, will open doorsfor rural women and communities. Rural women’sabilityto easilycommunicate and
networkwith people outsidetheircommunitywill lessentheir isolation and impact on community action.
Recommended Action:
• Redefine decision-makingforgovernment, expandingon traditional committee forums. Specificallyprovide peoplewith a repertoireofwaysthatinformation and communicationtechnologiescan be usedfordecision-making,with afocus on the advantages, bestscenarios and limitationstousing types oftechnology, such as teleconferencing ornetmeeting. Ensurethis expanded viewof decision-making still embraces the importance offace-to-face contact. Providethis information to 1.2
stategovernmentagencies and committees, with apriorityto regional
departments, agriculture, women’spolicydevelopmentoffice, local councils, and local communitygroups. Thisaction willconsolidate the stateGovernment’stwo- yearactionplanforwomen.
• Develop onlinerural and regionalnetworks (ornodes)toenable easier communication betweengovernmentandspecificruralcommunities. These online networkswill includecommunitypeople,groupsandorganisationsthat wantcontactwith specificgovernment agencies orportfolios. These networks can operatein partnershiporindependentoftheirlocalcouncilorshire. The specificpurposeofcommunication is tobeexploredand tailored.
2. RURALWOMEN’S USE OF l&CTECHNOLOGY
2.1 SummaryInformation FromThe Rural Women’s Interviews:
2.1a Variety OfTechnology UsedAmongThe RuralWomen
• From veryproficient (usingtheinternet, e-mail, fax, telephone) to halfway proficient (using computers, fax, but notinternet)to limited useoftechnology (usingjust thefax but aware ofothertechnology)
• One ofthewomen, made special referencetothe benefits derivedfrom her
involvementinthe Farmer’s Online Network, particularlywith the provision oflocal callaccess. Ruralwomencommented thatstd callswas an obstacleto using l&C technologies.
• Othertypes ofspecialisedtechnologythat rural women use include:
teleconferencing,videoconferencing, telematics, listservers, telecentres,and communityagriculture centres.
2.1b CurrentUses
• Working -farming, quotes, publications, orders
• Education& acquiring information-reports, teaching children
• Meetings-women in the Kimberley, Gascoyne and Murchison regions use teleconferencingformany meetings.
2.1c Other Experienced Issues - re:strategies
• Importantto acknowledgethetransition from people and communities moving from no use of l&Ctechnology to predominant use oftechnology. Strategies of using ‘word ofmouth’ and local newspapers, willfacilitatethis transition.
• Acknowledge limitedtechnology infrastructure in remote regions ofruralWA.
• Different language is used when communicating with differenttechnologies such as the internet.
RecommendedAction:
• Acknowledgethediversityof ruralpeople’s skill in usingtechnologywhen formulating policy orinstigatingaction. Promotethe currentusesof l&C
technology by rural people to otherrural people. Thiswill increasethe demand forusingtechnology. Promotion can be doneusing case studiesorthrough personal informal networks. Develop anetworksimilartothe model used bythe Farmer’sOnline Network.
2.2
• Addressthe issuesoflimited infrastructureforl&Ctechnology includinglocalcall access.
3. LIMITATIONSAND AREAS OFCONCERN WITH l&C TECHNOLOGY 3.1 SummaryInformation From The Rural Women’s Interviews:
3.1a NotTheTotalSolution But ItHelps
• Technologyfits in the wholesystem, with people atthecentre. Thesepeople needto believe in themselves, and be self-empowered beforethe use of technologycanbe truly optimised.
“/thinkthetechnologyis thereasa toolitisnot thereofitselfitisameans toandend. It’sa caseofwellwhatare wedoingthatthe technologycan help usdobetter. Soone ofthosethingsisobviouslyexchanginginformation. So farwith theprojectwehavebeen workingon, wehaven’tactuallyused
technologyforthat, because the committeehasbeen localandit’sbeenusing the traditionalthinglike thetelephoneandpaper. People arecomfortable with that. Butas timegoes onmaybe things likedrawing upplansorideasor doingpresentations, ifyou’vegotafundingbodyforinstanceandyou wantto convincethem thatthisisa greatidea.” (Mary Smith)
3.1b Overarching People ObstaclesTo Using l&CTechnology
• There is alackof knowledge, skills and positive attitudestowardstechnology, among manyruralwomen. Often olderwomenfindtechnologydaunting (withthe language used) and they lacktheconfidenceto instigateaction. Ruralwomen also have specifictraining needs such as knowledge and skills in ‘trouble shooting’ problemsencounteredwith l&Ctechnology. Sometraining has not been effective. Ruralwomen suggested improvements revolving around the trainer’saddressing diverse needswith- rural people’sproficiencywith the technology, age, culture, and intended purposeofthe technology’s use.
• There isa lackof leadershiptopromotethe use oftechnology in many rural communities. Consequentlythere is little communityawareness, services and supportfor rural peoplewho desire to use l&Ctechnology.
3.1c Practical Concerns
• Money: thecostofusing technologysuch as local callaccess.
• Timeinvolvedto learn to usethe technology, given women’s current responsibilities.
• Weather-particularlyin Kimberleyareawhere storms mayinterfere with
transmission, andthewetseason notallowing peopleto drive on roadsand thus not attend trainingworkshops. Alsoelectricfences interferewith l&Ctechnology use.
• The Chairperson and members need preparation when using l&Ctechnology, such as teleconferencing, tomake decisions.
• Travelling-tothe closestTelecentre ifruralwomen didn’t have accessto the technology.
• Currently there is only a small numberof peoplewho know howto use l&C technology.
3.1d IndividualTechnology Limitations
• E-mail-use itforquick, informal communication. Not recommendedto use e- mail forcomplex issues, oremotional issues, as it results in disjointed
communication. E-mail is noted as having no momentum and thus can not accommodatefor dynamics in thought. Shypeople maypreferto use e-mail as theycanwrite in private and not havetotalk.
• Teleconferencing-is useful for meetings or makingdecisions on relative
straightforward issues. As people can not see eachother’s face, andthereis no accessto non-verbalcues. Itis recommendedthatteleconferencing is notused when generating ideas orin sensitivesituations. Rural women stressed the importance offace-to-face contactwhen peopleare partofa group, making decisions. There was also concernthatvoting maynot be legal in a
teleconferencing situation. Shy people maypreferthis medium fortalking and there is more preparation required toconduct a meeting using this type of technology.
• Internet-is useful whenaccessing information. It howevercan overload people with information and there is nodirect social contactwith it. People can’treally judgeyou, astheycannot seeyou or knowyourpersonal details. Itwas noted thatsome services suchas psychiatric counsellingwere not suitedto internet delivery.
3.2 RecommendedAction:
• Focuson people andwhat theywanttodo, noton thetechnology-this isin titles offorums, explanation ofstrategies, promotionofOIC strategies andactions.
Ensurethathow wecommunicatewith thecommunity isframed inwant istheir need.
Ensurethat ruralcommunity leaders(inthe breadthof its meaning) are positive aboutandacknowledge the importance ofusing l&C. Thisleadership rolewill ensurethatcommunitystrategicplans, and resource allocations, will facilitate people’s useof l&Ctechnology.
• Ensure ruralwomenare confidentusersoftechnologybytailoring l&Ctechnology trainingtodiverse needs reflected by:
> proficiencylevel;
> age;
> culture;and
> intended use orpurposeforusingthetechnology.
Case studies be providedto ruralwomen andmen demonstrating waysthat similartypes ofpeople have gainedan advantage through using l&Ctechnology- suchas saving money, making more money, and accessing new opportunities.
Include specificactions ofhow peoplecan getstarted suchas people contacts.
Furthermore, informpeople thatdifferent informationand communication technologies havetheirown strengthsand limitations, forparticularpurposes.
4. INFRASTRUCTURE
4.1 SummaryInformation From The RuralWomen’s Interviews:
4.1a Obstacles To Resolve In OrderTo Progress Future Possibilities
• Insufficient, unreliable hardware- lines, satellites, prohibitivecostforthelocal community.
• No localcallaccess-for internet. Some communitiesand people supportedvia telecentres, Online Farmwide Network, butmajorityare not.
• No24 hourpower-energy. Makes using thetechnologyunreliable.
4.2 RecommendedAction:
• Promote projectssuch asOnline Farmwide Networkwhich will accelerate:
> demand;
> education;
> awareness;
> infrastructure;and
> local callaccess,to rural communities.
• Provideoptionsto ruralpeoplewhere24-hourpoweris not requiredtouse l&C technology.
5. BENEFITSIN USING l&C TECHNOLOGY
5.1 SummaryInformation From The RuralWomen’s Interviews:
5.1a Fits InWith BusySchedules: RuralWomen's Responsibilities. ResourcesAnd With OtherPeopleWhoTheyAreContacting
• Fits inadditional activitiesin people’s busyschedules, thus creating new opportunities-Using l&Ctechnology
> saves people time
> creates an efficientworkenvironment
> increaseswomen’s confidence; and
> ensures many responsibilitiescan befulfilled.
• Using l&Ctechnology means rural women donot havetotravel as much. This saves timeandcommunication, and information can beaccessed instantly.
Agendas and minutescan be accessed instantaneouslybycommittee members andthepublic
• It iscost efficient and convenienttouse l&Ctechnology, such as thefax and the internetwhen accessing information orcommunicating.
5.1b AccessTo Information & IncreaseCommunication
• Accessto information -whenfewservices
• Facilitates personal contacts-networks, meetings, family &friends, colleagues, news groups, committees.
5.1c Provide Opportunities
• Provide opportunities-economic, education, teleworking, marketing, community development, facilitates infrastructure.
5.1d Gives WomenA Voice
• Gives women avoice & influence-chat, talkbackTV, surveys, no gender knowledge.
Recommended action:
• Promotethebenefits ofusing l&C technologyviacase studies, directinformation packs, promotion material,and conferences. Promotethisinformationto
> rural communityleaders;
> ruralpeople;
> regional development, and agriculture, governmentagencies;
> women’spolicy offices
> localgovernmentcouncillors;
> executives in rural WesternAustralia; and
> Ministers.
5.2
• Promoteto rural women thatthrough using l&Ctechnology, they canfit in
opportunitiesin theirlifethatwouldotherwise becumbersome and notaccessible.
The benefits ofusing l&Ctechnology include: saving time, being costefficient, providing supportand information, andfacilitates self-empowerment.
• Promote l&Ctechnologycan provide differentopportunitiesto easilycontact friends and relativeswho in theCity, interstate oroverseas. Many ruralwomen are isolatedfrom theirchildrenwho leavehome atan early agetogo to schoolin Perth. Itwould be useful todemonstrateto parentsthe benefitsof using different types ofl&C tools.
• Inform relevantgovernmentagenciesofthe advantages rural people experience when using l&Ctechnology. Thisinformation is acatalyst to agency’s
reengineering theirservicesto meettheneedsof rural people.
• Inform governmentagencies ofnewwaysto communicatewith ruralwomen. For example via‘talk back’TV, chatlinesetc. Provideexamples, detailedsteps and frameworks ofhowthese newwayscan beimplemented. Includein this
information detailing theadvantagesand opportunitiestobe encountered bythe organisation and theircustomers. Thisinformation is acatalysttoagency’s reengineering theirservices tomeetthe needsof ruralpeople
6. SUPPORT
6.1 Summary Information From The Rural Women’s Interviews:
6.1a Training Objectives
• To increase confidence. This hasthe added effect ofspreading theword in a positive way andfurtherincreasing communityawareness.
• To provide a non-threatening , non-daunting environment. Thisensures that training is effective and a positive experience is provided.
• Ensurethetraining is purposeful, and not an end in itself. Thatis, it is not l&C technologytraining, but it is howdo better farming, orhow to do betterteaching, orbetterparenting through using l&C technology. Makethe training interesting, and grabbing forthe participants. Findout whatthe interests ofthe participants in
• Specifictraining request otherthan general Internet include:teleconferencing;
ergonomics-sitting properly;trouble shooting knowledge; and hardware of computers.
• Awarenessofwhatthe internetcan do-the potential ofit.
6.1b TheScope ofTraining-PrinciplesTo Keep In Mind
• Variety
• Individual and group training
• Shortcourses tointensive coursestoevening courses
• Homeversus centre-based
• Regularopportunities
• Social occasions
• Partners included in sometrainingworkshops
• Informal-party planstoformal courses
• Mobile toTAPEtraining courses 6.1c Government Support
• To provideopportunitiestotrain and learn about using l&Ctechnology. Although TAPEand telecentres provide someservices, the scope ofthistraining has been limited, not inclusive ofthe aboveprinciples, rural womenespoused.
• Need to politicallypush telecommunications issues such as infrastructureand its associated costs. Examples ofgovernment involvement includeOnline Farmwide Networkdelivering localcall access.
• To provideadvice and supporttoservice providersof rural people’s needs.
• In general, ruralwomen’s attitudeswerevery positivewith government action.
There howeverareareas wherethe governmentcan maximisepeople’s useof l&Ctechnology. To achievethis outcome, rural people’sneedsand unique circumstances need tobe considered.
6.1d Once ATechnologyUser
• Whensystemsforusing technologyare in place, there isadefinite need (particularly bythe service providers) forsupport toensurethesystems are running effectivelyand uptodate.
• These include: maintainingonline systems-suchas people’s names need a coordinator; technical support-need patience, efficient in time, and an
understanding
6.2 RecommendedAction:
• Trainingtotargetspecific purposesor outcomes, andtargetedtospecificgroups ofrural people. This meansthatknowledge ofthegroup’s needs orinterests are usedtoplan l&Ctraining.
• Thescopeoftrainingbe expanded toincludethe diversityofpeople-purpose, culture,age, proficiency. Examplesof specifictrainingneeds are toinclude computerhardware,troubleshooting, and differenttypesoftechnologysuch as teleconferencing. Examples oftrainingformats include individualversus group training, and informal party plansto bringingyour partners along.
• A non-threateningtrainingenvironmentisessential. Waystopromotethis
environmentis byhaving aninformalpartyplantraining, asocialatmosphere,and focussingon theparticipant’s interestorbusinessareas.
• Governmentacceleratethetelecommunication’sinfrastructure.
7. FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH USING l&CTECHNOLOGIES 7.1 SummaryInformation FromThe Rural Women’s Interviews:
7.11 Self- Empowerment Opportunities
7.111 PersonalDevelopmentandNewOpportunities
• Learn new skills,
• Expandcareers through educationopportunitiesandteleworking
• Have employmentsections in the newspaperforteleworking
• Expanding education opportunities- broadenhorizons ofwhat people can do in the‘bush’
• Getbackinto culture-heritage-Aboriginalpeople
• Market industries-expand markets
• Dothings better, fasteruseitas an effectivetool foranything
• Increasesconfidence through gainsand opportunities
• Empowerspeople -ie, cuts outthe middlepeople in business. Forexample, Aboriginal people’s artcan be sold directly
• Using l&Ctechnology is limited by ourimagination-it has infinite purposes:
“Itisa familiarity. Isuppose itislikeacolourtelevision, beforeeverybodygot colourtelevisionitisveryhardto visualise whatitwouldbelike. Buteverybody hasgotitnowandnobodywoulddreamofwatchingblackandwhite TVifthey hadthe choice” (SaraWilliams)
7.112 TrainingandEducation
• Forbusinesses, forchildren and adults
• Make thetraining purposeful and interesting. Forexample with childrenfocus on musicgroups.
• Uset l&Ctechnologytoteach children who have limited educationfacilities. This hasthe potential ofsaving large amountsof money, and having children athome.
7.113 Awareness OfThe TechnologiesPotential
• Forpeople to realiseit’s impact and howmuchitcan help. This potential needs to be organised and communicated.
• Thisawareness will promotea positiveattitudetofuture useof l&Ctechnology
• Focus onthe outcomeorcore business. Thiswill ensurethat l&Ctechnology has a purpose and has meaning. Address what, how, the costs, provide
examples, andfollowup with more action orsupportorinformation (have aclient contact personforspecifictarget groups)
• Provide information packageson the above
7.114 Attitude
• Generally, women arethedriving force in using l&C technology on farms. They are willingtotakeonthe responsibilityof learningand using thetechnology.
Provide rural women examplesof, benefits, uses, and case studies
• Generally, women take uptechnologyfasterthan men (in rural areas)
• Some ruralwomen intendtohave accessto technologysuch ase-mail, but don’t have ityet
• Ensurethat l&Ctechnologytraining is presented in asocial, friendlyand useful manner
7.115 Support
• Provide mentorstodevelop rural women’sconfidence with using l&Ctechnology fordecision-making
• Once people haveaccessed information and newopportunities, providesupport fortheirnextsteps
• Makethe technologybomb proofas repairs in rural areas area headache
7.12 Hardware and Infrastructure Opportunities 7.121 Mobile Service
• Provide mobile servicesforsmall rural communities,forexampleLaverton.
Particularly in townswherethere is alack of leadershiporawarenessaffecting the demand ofl&C services.
• Mobile telecentreson farmer’s ‘turf’ -providea modem sofarmers (womenand men) can experienceand beshown thebenefits ofusingthe internet.
• Use laptops sotheycan fitintorural people’s lifestyle. Forexample, teachers can take homeand use laptops, whereas theywillnot use computers atschool as theyare so busyduringtheday
7.122 Interactive Communication
• Newinnovations will providegreateropportunities
• Usevoice recognitiontechnology insteadoftyping forpeoplewho can’ttypeor are slowtypers. Also ifyou areshyyoucould talkfrom home.
• Communicatefrom home viavideo
• l&C^technologyneeds to be bomb proofand notbreakdown
• Haveagroupofwomentogether and useWestlinkto haveyoursayon issueseg.
Juvenilejustice.
7.123 GreaterOpportunities to Use l&C Technology
• Inthefuture it is anticipatedthattherewill be better, cheaper, fasteraccess, betterinfrastructure, mobile phone use,and moreaccesstocomputers
• Accesstelecentrestoallowforvideo conferencing
7.13 ServiceProvision Opportunities 7.131 Meetings
• Have interactive meetingswhere people can see each otheron thescreen, and seeeach otherwriting
• Greateraccesstomeetings-as participants, observers, and different types of meetingforums
• Fitin meetings in yourown time-out ofbusyhours
• Need agood chairpersonif usingtechnologyforthe meetingto be effective
• Need experienced people orneedto train people ifyou are using Netmeeting or
‘whiteboard’
7.132 SeekInformation
• Rural womenwould use l&Ctechnologyto accesswomen’s information, the weather, woolclasses, cattle classes, andweb sites
• Greateroverallaccesstoinformation. It’sspeedy andanonymous 7.133 GreaterAccess
• Provide betterservices through l&C technology-such asshopping sothatthere is nowaiting in cuesordriving hundredsof kilometres.
• Don’t need tobe in thecitytoaccess services-such as shopping orbuying goods, registerbusinesseson line
• Build bridges instead ofbarrierswith rural communities.
• Linkupwith children in the citywho go awaytoschool, and also contactrelatives andfriends
• Accesstotraining and education-adultand school age
• Ifcouncilsamalgamatecan havetelecentres perform acouncil servicefunction
• Applyonlineforstate andfederal services eg social services
.134 TeleHealth
Telehealth accelerates telecommunication’s infrastructure,and providesaccess to morecommunicationsanddiagnosisservices.
.135 Communicate ToPoliticiansAndMinisters InStateAndLocalGovernment viae-mail, internet, surveys, web pages(with answers and questions)
send outagendas and minutes instead of usingacourierforlargeareas inthe country
also use asa record ofminutes
.136 Community& Organisation’s Opportunities Enables and facilitates people contact
Electroniccommunities have ahub ofinformation in acritical place likethe Post office. Have meetingsand eventsposted on it. Can beaccessed by residents andtourists. Needacceptance bythe community otherwise awhiteelephant Virtual communitiesand work-canexchange information and ideas. Eg.
Organisewith the University- likeachator news group
Ways ofbringing people together-particularlywho havethe samevision- cooperation
Keepnetworks upto datewith achat linesuch asthe 2ndWorld Conferencefor AgriculturalWomen
Connect people with common interests (in doing thisfocuson the businessof government)
Opportunitiesto linkcommunity, governmentand industry-ie, marketing industries like the cottage one.
7.2 Recommended Actions:
Considerthefollowing ideasas projects:
• Coordinate state governmentMinisters and local governmentCouncillorsto develop communicationwiththe people. Particularlyfocusingon ruralpoliticians.
Provide:
> acasestudy;
> the outcomes and advantages;
> the required investment;
> ongoing managementrequirements;and
> a networkofpeopletocontact.
• Thiswill ensurethattheyuseand see thevalue ininformationand
communicationtechnology. Specificideasincluded havingwebpageswith answersand questions,sendingagendas and minutestocouncillors, and using thetechnologyasa recordofminutes.
• Instigateactiontodevelopgreateraccessofeducation andtrainingonlinefor schoolchildren ofall ages andadulteducation ofall levels.
• Tailortechnologytrainingand awarenesstospecificallyinclude ruralwomen. In ruralcommunitiesit isthewomen whotakeonboardthefirst stepsofusing l&C technology. Thiswillensurethatfamily’sand ruralbusinesses investin l&C technology. Aspreviouslymentionedthe promotion oftechnology isto be useful, friendlyandsocial. Promote casestudiesofhowthistechnologyhasbeen used and instigatefurtherideasthattheruralwomenwould pursue, such as
purchasinggoodsand servicesthatare notavailable intheir ruralcommunity.
