Ict policies in Developing Countries: An Evaluation with the Extended Design‐Actuality Gaps Framework

Gender: Woman 
Domicile: Urban 
Education: Graduate 
Income: Low 
~24 years old university 
student 
“Initially, My parents did not allow me to go to Islamabad to study at one of the premier 
universities in Pakistan” this participant said. Her parents were concerned of her safety in a city 
as far away as 500 miles. However, things changed when they got her a cell phone and found out 
that they could always stay in touch with her. She said: “I probably would not be pursuing higher 
education if I didn’t have a cell phone and my parents didn’t feel that they can keep in touch with 
me anytime they wanted”. She has access to a large online library which helps her in research and 
access to latest publication on her areas of interest. She explained: “I use online library to find 
research papers to support my literature review and research”. 
7 
Gender: Man 
Domicile: Rural 
Education: Illiterate 
Income: Medium 
~23 years old barber 
This participant works in his father’s barber shop. He spends hours on phone with prostitutes. His 
daily pocket money is Rs 20 but his daily cell phone expense is Rs. 500. To satisfy his addiction, 
he steals money from the barber shop cash drawer. “I know it is wrong to steal money to pay for 
my cell phone bill but I cannot help it” he said. “My father wants me to get married but I have a 
lot of aspirations. I want to be famous and rich and have a good life” he added. He explained: 
“The cell phone makes me live a life of fantasy and I feel that I am important because some 
women need me. I know it is not considered good but I cannot help it and don’t know how to stop 
it”. 
8 
Gender: Woman 
Domicile: Rural