Demotech, design for self reliance


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Description
Technology can only be called "Appropriate", if it is appropriate for women. Design should be directed at women's empowerment.


Please visit also the research pages. (D20)

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Gender & Appropriate Technology
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Introduced at users level Reduction till nill by replacing a product by a service Applicable within poverty Gender Education Rural as well as urban.



Why
Technology can only be called "Appropriate", if it is also appropriate for women. Tasks allocated to women and man differ considerable in society, but the development of technology does not take this in account. This should change, specially for technology used in poverty.

How
Any technical design should be checked on how it will influence the dependance or independence, hence the political position of women. In case this influence is doubtful or negative, the design process should be corrected for the better at an early stage.
Our two most important findings: it is easy and effective to incorporate women in technical developments, when the right technical approach is chosen. And it is hard to prevent technical information that is especially designed to suit the local situation of poor women from being corrupted by development organizations.



Additional information

Also see Appropriate for Women
This kind of illustrated 'manual' shows how is easy and effective to incorporate women in technical developments, when the right technical approach is chosen. And it is hard to prevent technical information that is especially designed to suit the local situation, from being misinterpreted by development organizations.



Planned progress

How Demotech has linked technology to gender needs is shown in reports on our field experience. It gives many effective answers. An overview has not yet been written, but have a look at a paper we drew up on Ghana in 1990:

  • How to make achievements last
  • How to make a local initiative self-reliant.
  • How to report in a meaningful way
  • How Appropriate for Women relates to our present policy

    In the Wiki research section the answers we get on these issues should be worked on. Research contributions are invited regarding gender in relation to technology. More specific research is needed on the following issues:

  • Actual gender approach policies, political and/or practical
  • Where innovation -modern and/or local- is heading
  • How gender projects get financial backing. Are there gender aware projects that are self-sustaining
  • Training and upkeep: local or external expertise



  • Internal links



    External Links

  • Guidelines">http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/hrp/guidelines_gender.en.html">Guidelines for Gender considerations? From the Program's document?Preparing a Project Proposal, Guidelines and Forms??(Third Edition)?
  • Women">http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB20000808S0016">Women Fight Gender Gap With Self-Employment
    By Terry Costlow, EE Times, August 9, 2000
  • Untapped">http://www.wedo.org/files/untapped_eng.htm#resources">Untapped Connections: Gender, Water and Poverty:
    Key Issues, Government Commitments And Actions for Sustainable Development
  • Send us an email form about any relevant link, that should be added here


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