Technology: Friend or Foe for Women of Myanmar Moreover, the interviewees stated that there are large variations in the opportunities and constraints experienced by various groups of women within Myanmar. Digital literacy, language, computer skills and information literacy are critical skills for drawing some benefits from ICTs for women and girls. However, these skills are relatively low especially among the middle-aged and older generations. Furthermore, rural, and ethnic minority women are less likely to have these requisite skills and therefore more likely to be excluded from the information society. The isolation and limited exposure of these women means that they are less likely than women urban dwellers to have these skills. In most cases where urban women enjoy access to ICTs, they are typically part of a high income, educated group of professional and businesswomen who utilize technologies’ potential to create and consume relevant information and services. “Due to higher rates of female illiteracy in rural and ethnic minority areas, the information literacy is relatively low. Most women do not have the ability to evaluate different sets of information against each other and apply it to real-life contexts. Many civil society organizations, including women’s rights organizations, have been using Facebook to share key information to increase awareness about gender equality, to dispel misconceptions on gender stereotypes and to address gender-based violence. But women do not always perceive them as useful and worthwhile. They are more interested and engaged in some viral content about celeb news and celebrity gossip.” (KII_09, a woman from women’s rights network) 27

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