WHAT IS GRACE

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WHAT IS GRACE? Gender Research in Africa into
ICTs for Empowerment (GRACE) aims to contribute
to the transformation of our gendered
world. GRACE is an initiative envisioned and
funded by IDRC (International Development
Research Centre) and managed and developed by
Research For the Future (RFF).
Gender Research in Africa into ICTs for
Empowerment Recherches sur le genre en Afrique.
Les TIC au service de l'autonomisation
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GRACE explores the ways in which women in Africa
use information and communication technologies
(ICTs) to empower themselves, the external,
structural barriers as well as the internal
factors which prevent or enable them to use ICTs
to their advantage, and the strategies they
employ to overcome impediments.
Gender Research in Africa into ICTs for
Empowerment Recherches sur le genre en Afrique.
Les TIC au service de l'autonomisation
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GRACE comprises fourteen sub-projects, reflecting
fourteen research sites in twelve countries. The
sub-projects differ from each other greatly in
terms of target group and research focus.
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How do women in rural Nigeria use mobile phones
to meet their communication needs? Given the
strategic roles women in rural communities play
in the survival of their families, their use of
a cost effective means of communication, such as
mobile phones, is being given detailed attention
in this study. Is the internet an empowering
tool for Douala business women, international
traders in the textile sector? Speaking with
women international traders who access the
internet, the research is exploring the impact
of this access on their business practices.
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GRACE OBJECTIVES

• The formation of a network that will do ongoing
  research in gender, womens empowerment and ICTs
  in Africa.
• Developing capacity in qualitative research and
  ICTs amongst the GRACE researchers.
• Policy influence at local, national and
  regional/global levels.