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The skill of using modern technology for communicationdoes not immediately contribute toequality and women’s empowerment. The resultof the evaluation on the ICT training that has beenongoing for three years proved that the skills canalso increase the women’s burdens. Nuraini, oneof the women who have been able to use the internet,admitted that her spending has increasedbecause of paying to visit an internet café. Severalwomen even said that they had developed newconsumer or spending habits soon after learninghow to browse the internet. They are now interestedin buying clothes that certain models wearwhich they see on websites. The consumerismtrap for these village women can be an obstaclefor the prospect of social transformation potentiallyoffered by ICTs.Action stepsBased on the above lessons learned, it was clear thata project intervention that merely provides infrastructure,access and skills is not enough. The capacityfor using ICTs must be directed toward resolving theproblem of unequal distribution of resources rootedin the culture. The use of the internet must be gearedto increasing women’s knowledge and productiveskills. When the internet can be used by women whomake snacks to learn techniques such as productpackaging, then it can boost their economic productivity.When it is used by a woman who teaches apreschool play group, it can help her obtain informationto expand her knowledge of teaching. When ICTtraining is aimed at tackling the challenge of unequalgender roles, then the transformation of social rolesthrough the acquisition of knowledge and skills canchange the status of women in the society. ■135 / Global Information Society Watch