| dc.description.abstract | Contrary to many critics who jlid not see the usefulness and effectiveness of Information Communication Technology in the beginning; ICT has now become essential for every businessperson whether in the rural or urban area. Therefore there is now consensus that ICT is phenomenal in poverty reduction. Access to relevant and timely information for any serious businessperson can never be emphasized.
Qualitative techniques were used to collect and analyze the data and present the findings. The study sought to assess the role of ICT in poverty reduction among the businesswomen of Marakwet west district. The study also sought to find out the extent to which businesswomen are willing to adopt ICT, the ICT facility(s) available in the area of study, the role of ICT in poverty eradication and challenges facing businesswomen in the use of ICT. This in turn should help businesswomen develop goals and contribute to the existing ICT knowledge base and also serve as a useful reference point in reduction of poverty in rural areas.
Survey method of research was used in the study. Findings indicated that though 81% of the respondents are aware of what ICT is and entails, only 68% saw a link between
ICT and business growth, 74% used ICT in their businesses. 26% of the respondents do not use ICT in their businesses mentioning that it's costly to maintain and to sustain, knowledge is scarce and there's unavailability of ICTs.
The most used ICT is the mobile phone followed by radio, computers then internet. Considering it's a rural area, only 2% of the respondents use video/film which is common in many developed countries especially to pass information to many people at once. The businesswomen of Marakwet west district appreciate that ICT does contribute to business growth. 74% of the businesswomen agreed with the theory while 26 % disagreed with the theory.
Those who agreed with the theory, mentioned that ICT helps: create jobs, ICT saves time and cost, enables businesswomen to earn income while taking care of the family, improves lives, increases business efficiency hence more profits and businesswomen are able to tap to new markets. From the finding, the researcher concludes that ICT does have potential to reduce poverty in rural areas if the challenges facing its usage can be alleviated.
The researcher recommended extensive training of ICT use, for the businesswomen to be provided, that there be development of relevant ICT content and also that the government and other relevant institutions provide an avenue where businesswomen can access credit facilities to facilitate acquirement of ICT. | en_US |
