ICT and Employment Promotion among Poor Women

Abstract

This article deals with the integration of gender in policies relating to information and communication technology to empower socially excluded poor women as producers of this technology. In this context, it examines an interventionist ICT policy undertaken by Kudumbasree (an innovative women-based participatory programme) to empower poor women. The central part of the investigation is a survey of Kudumbasreesupported micro enterprises scattered across the states to understand the nature and characteristics of the enterprises, activity pattern and performance. The study clearly establishes that given the levels of basic literacy in the state, engendering ICT for poor women is feasible, provided the right organisational support is given.