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The use of ICTs amongst rural women also plays a leading role in distance
education. The African Network of Information Technology Experts and
Professionals (ANITEP), in Asare (1997: 1), observes that "African women
long deprived of information, education and training can look to advances in
information technology to bring learning to their doorsteps". According to
Ngechu (in Asare: 1997) from the Department of Distance Education in
Nairobi, Kenya, distance education particularly helps the disadvantaged
communities in rural areas, as it is for those who are looking for a second
chance in education. Ngechu further writes that these programs have had a
significant impact on women, who select programs according to their various
needs. The programs disseminate information on diseases like the deadly
malaria, or research findings on agriculture from the University of Nairobi.
An overwhelming number of women (70%) have reportedly adopted
techniques and methods learnt from these classes.
E-TouchjTelecentersjCyber cafes are yet another area in which ICTs are
gaining popularity amongst rural women in Kenya (Opala, 2004). According
to Opala, these centers offer low-cost communication and information
services commonly found in low income and rural areas in developing
countries, and are used primarily for basic access to phones, faxes,
photocopying, word-processing and other activities such as e-mail and
Internet access. Today, there are over 200 E-Touch Centres in rural Kenya
operated by local entrepreneurs with the support of ISP Africa Online.
An excellent example of how the Internet is being used in the provision of
financial, marketing, and other information related services to rural farmers,
is the Drumnet Project sponsored by IDRe. This IDRC-sponsored project
aims to demonstrate a link between the provision of information and
business services to small-scale farmers. (Opala, 2004:2). Opala observes
that DrumNet has established rural "Information Kiosks", and provides free
information to local small-scale farmers about the current prices of
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