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A lack of infrastructure also means that there isa lack of personal computers. According to a 2010study done by the Pratic Association, 0.9% of thepopulation used personal computers and 56% usedmobile phones. Certainly the situation has changedsince then, but not significantly; the price of a computerremains high, at least USD 500.There is a gap in internet accessibility for womenin both rural and urban zones. Problems linkedto women’s socioeconomic status, family responsibilities,and the lack of content responding to theirneeds can account for some women’s disinterest inthe internet.The strategic use of the internet by women’sorganisations to advance women’s rights assumesthat they are already savvy internet users. Women’stechnology skills remain weak, however. Accordingto surveys conducted with 15 organisations, amonggroups of 20 to 50 members, only two or three femaleleaders on average per group are trained inand regularly use the internet.ConclusionAlthough the internet is an invaluable tool forraising awareness about the challenges faced byCongolese women, internet access remains limitedfor many women. As such, actions must be undertakenin order to give Congolese women from everylevel of society and from all corners of the countrythe ability to access and use the internet to bothgain autonomy and contribute to the developmentof the country. These efforts can be realised only ifthe suggested measures are implemented.Action stepsIn order to allow Congolese women to benefit fromall that the internet has to offer, civil society, thegovernment and even international groups musttake certain measures:Civil society organisations• Train women on the strategic use of the internetin the domain of women’s rights.• Encourage the creation of internet content thatresponds to the needs of women and girls.• Advocate at the national level for national coverageof ICT infrastructure.• Encourage networking and collaboration amongdifferent organisations and movements on theinternet.Public authorities• Pursue projects to connect to the fibre-opticnetwork.• Pursue policies to bring electricity to rural andoutlying zones.• Integrate the teaching of ICTs into the Congoleseeducational system at all levels.• Develop and adopt legal policies protectingwomen, taking into account the strategic use ofICTs.International organisations and partners• Grant the necessary financial resources to civilsociety to train women on the internet. ■106 / Global Information Society Watch