The World at Her Fingertips?: Examining the Empowerment Potential of Mobile Phones among Poor Housewives in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Over the past couple of decades, mobile phones have penetrated Sri Lanka at an unprecedented rate. The rate of adoption of cell phones in the country has been remarkably fast, and not gradual as in other nations. Yet, examination of the developmental impact of mobile phones has drawn surprisingly little attention in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this article attempts to investigate the empowering effect of mobile phones on dependent housewives in poor households of the country by using a mixed research method. Our research found that access to mobile phones was certainly empowering for these women: mobile phones unequivocally strengthened and expanded their social circle and support networks; they led them to domesticate technology, thus challenging negative societal attitudes toward women as technologically incompetent and timid; they reduced women’s information poverty; and opened them up to a newer, non-traditional fun space, which was a clear manifestation of choice and power. However, the women’s use of mobile phones was largely controlled within the household, mainly because they did not have their own income to maintain the phones, thus underlining the need for their financial autonomy. Those women who owned their mobile phones had more control over them than those who lacked legal ownership. To conclude, mobile phones can play a significant role in empowering poor women in Sri Lanka, and can be considered as a tool in the policy agenda for women’s empowerment by the government.

Female sex workers' use of mobile phones in India: Lessons in effective engagement

“…Some researchers have found that women use technology largely for intrinsic (relationship maintenance) rather than extrinsic purposes (business transactions; Lemish & Cohen, 2005;Zainudeen et al, 2010), while others noted that mobile phones symbolize safety and connection to family for women, enabling expressions of empathy (Livholts & Bryant, 2013). Research evidence also points to the role of mobile phone technology in strengthening of ties among household members, between members in a social circle, between employers and their employees, and more specifically between women employed overseas and their children (Handapangoda & Kumara, 2013;Murphy & Priebe, 2011;Pertierra, 2005;Tenhunen, 2008). Other studies have staunchly stressed mobile phone technology's indispensability for the expansion of women's social and business networks (Handapangoda & Kumara, 2013;Murphy & Priebe, 2011).…”

“…Research evidence also points to the role of mobile phone technology in strengthening of ties among household members, between members in a social circle, between employers and their employees, and more specifically between women employed overseas and their children (Handapangoda & Kumara, 2013;Murphy & Priebe, 2011;Pertierra, 2005;Tenhunen, 2008). Other studies have staunchly stressed mobile phone technology's indispensability for the expansion of women's social and business networks (Handapangoda & Kumara, 2013;Murphy & Priebe, 2011). In a recent global survey by GSMA (mWomen Programme, 2012a), the majority of women (80%) from impoverished communities reported greater familial connectedness because of mobile phones and highlighted the usefulness of mobile phones during emergencies.…”

“…Findings from studies on the perceived impact of mobile phone technology on women's personal lives have been mixed. Some researchers have underscored the role of portable communication devices in fulfilling women's social needs in terms of extending their social networks and support structures, as well as fulfilling their entertainment needs by providing them access to movies and shows on topics of interest to them (Handapangoda & Kumara, 2013, Jouhki, 2013Yoon, 2006). In Afghanistan, providing women access to culture-specific content related to civic education and development and rights-based frameworks via solar-powered digital audio players facilitated collective listening with family members, fueled vital discussions, defused potential male resistance, and promoted women's empowerment (Sengupta et al, 2007).…”

“…Past studies have pointed to technology-related vulnerabilities for women often because of male-controlled access and monitoring of mobile phones or a lack of privacy resulting from phone sharing for cost effectiveness (GSMA mWomen Programme, 2012a; Pertierra, 2005), while others have drawn attention to the gender disparity regarding mobile phones with exclusive access and use by men for communication and entertainment purposes contrasting with women's experiences of monitored phone use by extended family members and with limited privacy (Doron, 2012). Many studies have found that women's overdependence on men and fear of reprisals from male spouses/partners, combined with a lack of training in using technology, were significant barriers to women's success in using technology effectively and expanding social networks outside of existing boundaries (GSMA mWomen Programme, 2012b, Handapangoda & Kumara, 2013;Lemish & Cohen, 2005;Ojokoh, 2009;Sambasivan et al, 2010). Archambault's (2011) study revealed the significant impact of the information gathered on and through mobile phones on young couples in Southern Mozambique that resulted in conflicts and relationship disruption.…”

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“…Past studies have pointed to technology-related vulnerabilities for women often because of male-controlled access and monitoring of mobile phones or a lack of privacy resulting from phone sharing for cost effectiveness (GSMA mWomen Programme, 2012a;Pertierra, 2005), while others have drawn attention to the gender disparity regarding mobile phones with exclusive access and use by men for communication and entertainment purposes contrasting with women's experiences of monitored phone use by extended family members and with limited privacy (Doron, 2012). Many studies have found that women's overdependence on men and fear of reprisals from male spouses/partners, combined with a lack of training in using technology, were significant barriers to women's success in using technology effectively and expanding social networks outside of existing boundaries (GSMA mWomen Programme, 2012b, Handapangoda & Kumara, 2013;Lemish & Cohen, 2005;Ojokoh, 2009;Sambasivan et al, 2010). Archambault's (2011) study revealed the significant impact of the information gathered on and through mobile phones on young couples in Southern Mozambique that resulted in conflicts and relationship disruption.…”