Marginalized Knowledge: An Agenda for Indigenous Knowledge Development and Integration with Other Forms of Knowledge

3.1. Problems women face when accessing and using ICTs in the rural areas of KZN (South Africa)

In table 1, respondents were asked questions relating to ICT problems/hindrances. Using a close-ended questionnaire, appropriate multiple answers were selected. Notably, 113 (56.5%) of the South African respondents felt that ICT services were unaffordable, with another 93 (41.5%) stating that ICTs were too far removed from them. Other inhibitors were time (93; 46.5%), computer illiteracy (42; 21.0%), poor roads (25; 12.5%) and cultural taboos (15; 7.5%). The figures below clearly illustrate that problems of access and exclusion for women in rural areas are evident, as an average of 96 (48%) respondents faced problems ranging from in-affordability to long distances and lack of time.

Table 1

Hindrances facing women when accessing and using ICTs in rural South Africa N= 200 and in Kenya N=200