ICT and Employment Promotion Among Poor Women: How can we make it Happen? Some Reflections on Kerala’s Experience

Abstract

This paper deals with the integration of gender in policies relating to information and communication technology to empower socially excluded poor women as producers of this technology. In this context, this paper examines an interventionist ICT policy undertaken by Kudumbasree (an innovative women based participatory programme) to empower poor women .The central part of the investigation is a survey of Kudumbasree supported micro enterprises scattered across the state to understand the nature and characteristics of the enterprises, activity pattern and performance parameters. The analysis of the paper is divided into two parts. First part deals with the structure and performance of women led enterprises and the second deals with issues relating to women, work and welfare. From the evidence gathered, we can conclude that the ICT initiatives under the umbrella of Kudumbasree have vast potential for empowering the poor women. The study clearly establishes that giventhe basic literacy of the state, engendering ICT for poor women is feasible, provided the right organizational support is given.