Adoption of Information and Communication Technology among Rural Women in Uttar Pradesh: A Study of Barriers

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has influenced and changed rural women life very dramatically and has been proved vital tool for their empowerment. Despite major advancement in technology, accessibility and use of various ICT tools have been a major challenge in for rural women in India. The present study was undertaken for assessing barriers in adoption and use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among rural women. The study was conducted in Uttar Pradesh. 120 respondents were selected through simple random technique and data were collected from these respondents with the help of structured interview scheduled. Finding of the study suggested that the technological barriers (mean rank =297.34) found to be the most important factor which act as barrier in using ICT by rural women followed by cultural barrier (mean rank =285.54) followed by infrastructural barrier (mean rank =256.51) and personal barrier (122.59). Among technological barrier restricted accessibility to ICT tools (mean rank=4.21) and language barriers (mean rank=3.96) were found major barrier. Similarly in case of Infrastructural barrier poor electricity services (mean rank =2.16) followed by poor network connectivity (mean rank 2.13). Study revealed several barriers in use of ICT tools by rural women, therefore it is essentially needed to remove these barriers which discourage rural women to adopt and use ICT through various policy measure.