Gender & mobile internet. Understanding the darker side of ICTs: Gender, harassment and mobile technologies in Pakistan

Resource type
Journal Article
Authors/contributors
Title
Gender & mobile internet. Understanding the darker side of ICTs: Gender, harassment and mobile technologies in Pakistan
Abstract
Much research and practice on gender and digital technologies focuses on the potential of ICTs to empower women positively.  However, ICTs also have negative impacts on women.  and this paper explores these negative implications in the context of mobile device use in Pakistan.  Whilst digital harassment is commonplace globally, Pakistan is interesting because of its strong normative values and the complexity of the intersection there between patriarchy, religion and culture. We examine the influence of gender, age, occupation, religion, ethnicity and place on perceptions and experiences of sexual harassment, and conclude that traditional stereotypes may be misleading.  Appropriate government policies and awareness raising are essential for these negative aspects to be overcome, thereby enabling women to be empowered rather than further disadvantaged by ICTs.
Publication
Information Technologies and International Development
Date
26 April 2017
Short Title
Gender & Mobile Internet| Understanding the darker side of ICTs
Accessed
19/06/2024, 21:05
Library Catalogue
Semantic Scholar
Citation
Unwin, T., Hassan, B., & Gardezi, A. (2017). Gender & mobile internet. Understanding the darker side of ICTs: Gender, harassment and mobile technologies in Pakistan. Information Technologies and International Development. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Gender-%26-Mobile-Internet%7C-Understanding-the-darker-Unwin-Hassan/25d2fe7bae2a6e97945e0b962196d4acbcd8cee0