Information technology and productivity among women: A case study of Ondo State Civil Service

Abstract

The development in information technologies has increased productivity amongst workers across the globe. This is so because workers now have more access to information, both for research purposes and for effective decision making. By implication, workers get developed and enhanced on their jobs with considerable increase on their salaries and personal emoluments. But, the above picture has not been clearly the case in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular. Most workers are still cut off the opportunities provided by the advances in information technology. This category of excluded workers is predominantly women in the civil service in Nigeria, most of who have been unable to get to management positions. This paper elucidates the reasons for the limited access of female workers to information technology in Ondo State civil service and identifies the social forces that have sustained this phenomenon. It argues that the character of public policy and programmes in Nigeria promotes inequality between male and female workers and thus reduces the opportunities for self development and actualization among women. Women hardly get to positions that give them access to basic information technologies like computers and access to internet facilities the Ondo State civil service. The paper concludes that unless this is addressed, women will continue to be excluded and deprived in Nigeria. It therefore suggests that a deliberate and conscious policy of massive inclusion of women in management positions should be put in place as an imperative.

Gender and Behaviour Vol. 4 (2) 2006: pp. 916-926