The Importance of Intent: Reflecting on Open Development for Women’s Empowerment

Abstract

It is argued that more sharing, connecting, and collaborating among people in free, unbound, and uncontrolled ways through the use of ICTs will have developmental benefits because of the acceleration of learning opportunities that such openness provides. Concerns are expressed about open development without reservation through the examples of 3 case studies: Case 1: Restricted Access Because of an Open-Access Rule:The Library Computers at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare; Case 2: Restricted Participation Because of the Open Market Mechanism: The Use of Mobiles for Social Advocacy in Zambia; and Case 3: Collaborative and Decentralized Production in and Through an ICT Gender Research Network