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development, particularly amongst marginalized populations. To this end, it
was found that:
• Women should be involved in deciding which ICTs would be of benefit
to them
• ICTs must add direct and immediate benefit to the lives of the women
involved
• There is a need for sensitization and training as regards the use of
ICTs
• There is a need to develop more resource centers with capacities to
train communities about ICTs
• Projects have to work in collaboration with the rural women and be
flexible to their needs and requirements
• There is always a need for a feasibility study or needs assessment
survey before project implementation
• The type of physical infrastructure available has to be considered prior
to project implementation
• The gender dynamics/demographics of the community must be taken
into account before project implementation, i.e., percentage of
women, age groups, occupations etc.
• Continual support, such as trouble shooting over the telephone, is
necessary
• Frequent personal visits are also necessary
Among the factors critical to the success of an organization that works with
rural women are the following:
• Women must be involved in the process, right from the initiation of the
project, in order to incorporate their feelings and ideas
• Organizations must be able to plan in such a manner that activities are
set at the pace of the women involved and not the organization's
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