Technology: Friend or Foe for Women of Myanmar
3.1.6. Digital competencies of women
How well do you think you can use computers, mobile phones and technology in
accordance with your professional use?
Badly
7.4%
Excellently
Not very well
17.1%
11.4%
Normally
39.4%
Very well
24.6%
Figure 5: Self-assessment of digital competencies
7.4% of respondents assumed that they were in dire need for skills enhancement
related to internet use and 11.4% of respondents acknowledged that they needed
to learn more digital skills. Scrutinizing both groups’ income status, the majority of
respondents who fell into these two categories had lower or unstable income. 17.1%
of respondents said that they could use the internet skillfully - most of these respondents have an income between 175 USD - 350 USD or more per month. This suggests
that women who have higher income have better digital skills based on their selfassessment. Interviewees repeatedly pointed out that women often have complex
relationships with ICTs and digital devices since women and girls are socialized into
believing that men are better at technology, and technology is not women’s domain.
That gender bias in attitude generates technophobia or fear of technology in women.
Many women of age above 50, regardless of whether living in rural or urban areas, do
not possess the skills and knowledge so they usually rely on others, primarily youths to
learn ‘how’ to use mobiles from making phone calls, downloading applications to using
VPN to access social media. (KII_01, Female) (KII_04, Female)
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