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1.9 Significance of the study
The importance of a study is judged by the contribution it makes towards
furthering knowledge. This section discusses the study's significance from
several viewpoints.
1.9.1 Contribution towards further research
The complexity of this sector to the Kenyan and South African economies
requires a thorough understanding of the current status of leTs, vis-a-vis
rural women, in both countries. To this end, this study takes deliberate steps
to audit and map lCTs in both countries and how rural women relate to
them. The study contributes useful data towards baseline studies in these
areas, as the amount of data available is negligible.
1.9.2 Increased understanding of gender, ICTs and development
This study sought to enlighten decision-makers, particularly in African
countries, on important mechanisms needed to actively involve women in
identifying and defining their information needs, and the choices and
processes necessary to meet these needs, in order to encourage production
and participation in community and rural development. This is even more so
because the majority of those who reside in the rural areas of most African
countries are women. For instance, according to the UIDP (2002), there
were 53.5% women as compared to 46.5% men in the Umlalazi
municipality.
Furthermore, Huyer (1997) and Huyer and Sikoska (2003) point out that
women's access to lCTs and information cannot be taken for granted,
especially in areas such as employment, education, training, and other
productive and personal development areas in life. Huyer underscores the
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