Creating Gender Sensitive ICT Synergies

UNCLAS AMMAN 004348

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS EAID JO
SUBJECT: Creating Gender Sensitive ICT Synergies


1. (U) SUMMARY: UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for
Women) plans to launch an "E-Village" project that will
integrate a number of information and communications
technologies (ICT) efforts underway in Jordan with the
construction of a computer assembly plant in a village near
Madaba. Deema Bibi, UNIFEM ICT program manager for the
Arab Region, told EconOff the project's three main
objectives were training, economic opportunities, and
raising gender awareness. The E-Village will form an ICT
hub that incorporates gender-sensitive strategies into
various ICT initiatives. UNIFEM is in the final stages of
completing its project plan and hopes to secure the
necessary sponsorships and commitments by Fall 2003. END
SUMMARY


2. (U) The E-Village project will offer a series of
different training programs to increase the capacity and
professional skills of village residents. The Ministry of
Education will pilot the E-Learning initiative in E-Village
schools. In conjunction with their current programs,
NetCorps and Microsoft plan to offer IT training and career
development workshops. UNIFEM also hopes to create an ICT
incubator where citizens receive professional support to
transform their ideas into software/IT programs.


3. (U) In addition to training, UNIFEM is working with the
GOJ, the private sector, and the local IT association,
Intaj, to provide economic opportunities to the village.
American-based Polywell has agreed to set up a computer
assembly plant in the E-Village where villagers can apply
newly learned skills. Intaj plans to assist in the
construction of an E-Services center where program
graduates can work on national ICT initiatives. UNIFEM
also hopes to construct a career counseling and job
placement center.


4. (U) The final objective of the project is to raise
awareness of the importance of both ICT in development and
of involving women in the development process. UNIFEM is
working with its partners to ensure that its ICT strategies
in the E-Village specifically target gender inequities.
UNIFEM will also use the E-Village to host policy advocacy
activities to support mainstreaming women into ICT.


5. (U) COMMENT: While many ICT projects in the region
address gender discrepancies in their strategies, the E-
Village's promotion of gender awareness as a central tenet
of the initiative is unique. END COMMENT
GNEHM