Our Common Humanity in the Information Age. Principles and Values for Development

§ ICTs can promote non formal education for girls and women, for example via 
community learning centres in rural areas. Projects carried out in Iran have induced a 
growing awareness among the women participants of their rights, greater 
participation of women in village council meetings, readiness to participate in 
elections, etc;
§ ICTs can improve medical prevention and care, particularly in the area of 
reproductive health and HIV/AIDS. Several traditional practices that violate 
women’s rights are formally outlawed in many countries: in India, dowry is 
forbidden by the constitution, but it is still so largely practiced that for many families 
- and for women themselves - having a girl child is still a catastrophes and the 
certitude of being indebted for the whole life. This is one of the main reasons of the 
alarming level of girls’ foeticide and infanticide which, unfortunately, still prevails 
even among educated and urban women. ICTs can help women discussing issues of 
violence, cultural taboos and HIV prevention by distributing information through 
email, diskettes, CD-ROM, telephone and fax. Campaigns have been launched for 
awareness raising for women, men, and midwifes. An Indian NGO uses the Internet, 
email and other information sharing tools to create awareness about female foeticide 
and to promote legal measures banning sex selection. Another example is given by 
female genital mutilations that are forbidden in many African countries, but still 
largely practiced, mostly by mothers and grandmothers. Some NGOs have developed 
interactive radio and television programs in Africa to promote positive attitudes to 
women’s reproductive and sexual health and tackle sensitive issues such as 
HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, female genital mutilation and birth spacing;
§ ICTs can improve women’s access to governance at local and national level. 
Governmental services online are more accessible to women, who do not need to 
travel far away. Also, increased interaction with government officials can lead to 
greater accountability and transparency;