WOMEN’S MOBILE COMMUNITIES ON MOBILE PHONE NETWORKS

ABSTRACT
The research process revealed that Women’s Mobile Communities are forming around Networks sustained by the use of Mobile Cellular Phones along varied common interests. Civil Society Organisation Networks are increasingly adopting the use of Mobile Cellular Telephony in their advocacy programs as the ICT increases in popularity across the entire Zambian Population. The general lack of Women’s free access to mobile services due to cost, retrogressive cultural practices and infrastructure limitations, obstruct general advancement in women’s effective collective use of the mobile cellular phone for advancement of women. As solutions are found for advancement of women, many questions emerge bordering on how to effectively insure women’s efficient access and effective utilization of communication services. The research process was informed by Zambian women leaders of a Civil Society Network and Communication specialists. Qualitative research methods where utilized. The Research process revealed that Women’s Mobile Communities are forming around Networks sustained by the use of Mobile Cellular Phones along varied common interests.











WOMEN’S MOBILE COMMUNITIES ON MOBILE PHONE NETWORKS
INTRODUCTION

Through Mobile Cellular Phones, Zambian women communicate with other women as well as men from all sectors of Zambian society. Un-moderated and free content developed as they communicate consists of common interest issues; free content and support across a wide range of needs is being rendered across these communities from monetary exchange, information exchange and basic sharing of experiences. Cultural relations are evolving as physical ties are being replaced with ‘electronic ones’. Civil Society network Coordinators would rather call members’ mobile phones than fixed office lines because mobile phones surpass the bureaucracy and there is a guarantee of communicating with the desired subject. With a doubling of subscriptions from a million subscribers in 2006 to about double the amount by 2008, the Mobile, Cellular Phone presents itself as a rapidly growing phenomenon with service accessible across the country regardless of remoteness. This drastically exceeds the fixed line Telephony system that renders Zambia one of the lowest in Teledensity at 0.9 fixed line telephones per 100 people(9 people per 1000 with Telephone service[1]).

The general lack of Women’s free access to mobile services due to cost, retrogressive cultural practices and infrastructure limitations, obstruct general advancement in women’s effective collective use of the mobile cellular phone for advancement of women. Still not wholly accessible to the majority of women.
The objective of the research was to examine to what extent the mobile phone was impacting on women’s social ties in Zambia’s NGOC[2]C civil society networks.
The research was carried out in Lusaka the capital city of Zambia over a period of one year. Qualitative Research methods where utilized. The Research process identified respondents and structured the group in two classifications as follows;
1. Women leaders of the NGOCC Network
2. Respondents with background information on the system of mobile Cellular phone Service provision.
The main body of the research findings is determined by the 1st classification which includes 5 women leaders of the NGOCC network from 5 separate NGOCC Member Organizations with separate mandates and a common interest in empowerment of women. The second Classification mainly includes officials from Mobile Cellular Phone Service Provision Companies, the Competitions Commission of Zambia and an official from the National Communication Regulation body the Communications Authority of Zambia CAZ. Women’s Mobile Communities are forming around Networks sustained by the use of Mobile Cellular Phones along varied common interests.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The Research process identified respondents by structurally interviewing key stake holders in the process of service provision. The structure involves two classifications as follows;
1. Women leaders of the NGOCC Network
2. Respondents with background information on the system of mobile Cellular phone Service provision.
The main body of the research findings is determined by the 1st classification which includes 5 women leaders of the NGOCC network from 5 separate NGOCC Member Organizations with separate mandates and a common interest in empowerment of women. They give detailed personal accounts of how they use the Mobile Cellular phone as a tool for communication both in their lives and collectively within networks; their insights shed light on the personal experiences that characterize women in this group. The second Classification mainly includes officials from Mobile Cellular Phone Service Provision Companies, the Competitions Commission of Zambia and an official from the National Communication Regulation body the Communications Authority of Zambia CAZ. Through this group, technical insight in the systems of service delivery and the possibilities for change both possible and intentioned was collected.
Throughout the research process, a participatory process with respondents was utilized based on acceptance of the understanding that Social innovations succeed when social sectors play a role and intentionality of women users is complex and undeterminable; Only the general sense indicating patterns was considered through a rigorous process informed by a selection of Qualitative research methods that encompass the general GRACE Research methodology process. These methods include;
· The Free Attitude interview
· Writing, reading and feedback exercises through the Probing depth analysis(Exercising a reflective stance)
· Literature Reviews

The respondents where active participants in the research process and they gave their consent and endorsement of the Research.
RESULTS
The research process revealed that Women’s Mobile Communities are forming around Networks sustained by the use of Mobile Cellular Phones along varied common interests.
To examine the extent to which the mobile phone was impacting on women’s social ties in Zambia’s NGOCC civil society networks, the research revealed that;

· Mobile Cellular Phone Telephony can contribute to ‘Leap Frogging’ and bridging The Digital Divide in Zambian sectors of society between Rural Areas and urban areas; Men and women; economically empowered communities and those that are Un-empowered. It can be a Conduit for Economic Development for women.

· Mobile Cellular Telephony can present the concepts of Freedom of Association and the Freedom of Expression as a Reality for Women; it can provide a space for Enhanced positions of Women within the Culturally Limiting Zambian Society.
DISCUSSION
The research process revealed that Women’s Mobile Communities are forming around Networks sustained by the use of Mobile Cellular Phones along varied common interests.
To examine the extent to which the mobile phone was impacting on women’s social ties in Zambia’s NGOCC civil society networks, the research was carried out in Lusaka the capital city of Zambia over a period of one year. Qualitative Research methods where utilized. The Research process identified respondents and structured the group in two classifications as follows;
1. Women leaders of the NGOCC Network
2. Respondents with background information on the system of mobile Cellular phone Service provision.
The main body of the research findings is determined by the 1st classification which includes 5 women leaders of the NGOCC network from 5 separate NGOCC Member Organizations with separate mandates and a common interest in empowerment of women. The second Classification mainly includes officials from Mobile Cellular Phone Service Provision Companies, the Competitions Commission of Zambia and an official from the National Communication Regulation body the Communications Authority of Zambia CAZ
To examine the extent to which the mobile phone was impacting on women’s social ties in Zambia’s NGOCC civil society networks, the research revealed that;

· Mobile Cellular Phone Telephony can contribute to ‘Leap Frogging’ and bridging The Digital Divide in Zambian sectors of society between Rural Areas and urban areas; Men and women; economically empowered communities and those that are Un-empowered. It can be a Conduit for Economic Development for women.
The emergence of the Mobile Cellular Phone service and its availability in remote areas presents an opportunity to link remote communities with urban centers like never before.

From lack of access to fixed line telephony; women in disadvantaged communities can access telephony through mobile handsets. With integrated ICT services like internet and mms, the phone has ‘Leap Frogged[3]’ communities into the digital age.

Women’s empowerment networks have noticed the power of ‘Leap Frogging’ rural women as is the case with a One World Africa stimulated project in Zambia where the organisation with the assistance of a Mobile Cellular Phone Service provider donated Mobile Cellular phones to a rural women’s community development Organisation. One Word’s Programs officer summarized the gesture as follows “ This helps them make informed decisions that impact peoples’ lives regarding poverty, human resource and social projects and its relation to development.” The intention of the donation was to eradicate poverty by opening up outreach possibilities for the rural community. With the equipment, they could make queries on farm good prices at the market and which markets offered the best prices before they left their rural area, in effect saving vital resources. Their social standing as women regardless of the social/ cultural limitations was upgraded as they became Economic nodes and influential communication providers in the community.
These women are effectively within reach of other women’s networks across the country that have access to mobile phones and through the communication tool, they can reach out for limitless assistance and share the nature of their circumstances.
The mobile Cellular Phone contributes to breaking down of traditional barriers of development such as time, and spatial separation. This in turn increases integration of markets improves commerce and geo-political relations[4].




· Mobile Cellular Telephony can present the concepts of Freedom of Association and the Freedom of Expression as a Reality for Women; it can provide a space for Enhanced positions of Women within the Culturally Limiting Zambian Society.
Through the mobile phone, women’s networks in Zambia have been advocating for change, updating Social Development Networks and influencing decisions by informing stake-holders of implications of decisions that might have implications on women[5]. While the National bill of rights provides for the protection of the freedom of expression, assembly and association, Zambian women are confined by cultural and religious tendencies that relegate them to being second-class citizens in relation to men. It is this suppression that in many cases manifests itself in the media as women are subjected to gender based violence for matters related to their partner being unsatisfied with their use of the mobile Cellular phone[6]. The Mobile Phone evokes a feeling of ownership and privacy in the user[7]. The conflict can be indicative of women’s greater awareness of their own individuality and their attempts at establishing independence of communication through ownership of the communication tool. As a communication tool that women can own and independently have rights over, the mobile Phone grants women a renewed freedom to communicate with whosoever they want, say what ever they want and when they want to. In a subjective environment where they are traditionally subordinates of men, such opportunity revolutionizes gender relations.
CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION
REDUCE COSTS RELATED TO USE
Exploitative costing cripples users and reduces disposable incomes. Government policy intervention could reduce taxes that influence cost and where in merit, as in the European Union Roaming charge intervention[8], tone down exploitative costing frameworks
MOBILIZE WOMEN AND CREATE MOBILE COMMUNITIES
From examples of effective Mobile Phone enhanced mobilization above, it is clear that formalization of mobile communities would add to effectiveness of this method of advocacy. Networks like the NGOCC can include expenditure for mobile Cellular Phone advocacy into the program and advocacy budgets. They can work towards creating beneficial ways for inclusion of women of all walks of life into these communities i.e. Women with Disabilities.
ADVOCATE FOR WOMEN SPECIFIC SERVICES
Currently there are services integrated by the service providers for groups like farmers, business etc where users can access commodity prices, and flight schedules at a limited cost. For women’s advocacy, information on what to do in times of abuse, maternal health notes and definitions of women’s disempowerment situations can also be posted for free access to users.
TRADE IN MOBILE CELLULAR PHONES AND MOVE BEYOND MARE USE TO PROVISION
As opposed to being mare users, Women’s groups can evolve to being communication hubs in their communities by trading in the Mobile Communication services. This provides opportunity to shift to a position of influence in the community and they can quickly also become Economic nodes (Sinha)
The main challenge for women’s networking remains the cost of maintaining the Mobile Cellular Phone. To start with, the handset is very costly at about $25US, few women can afford this. Costs related to topping up with talk time Units are also limiting. Only Women with talk-time (Call units) will be privileged members of the mobile community, with the ability to initiate conversation and having the power of choice of when to communicate. Those with no call units may be included at the discretion of those who do. This can present negative effects of such networking and exacerbate inequalities if not rectified.
IMPLICATIONS
The value of women’s networking on the mobile phone is driven by the principle of Social Capital. Clear is the fact that because of the circumstances of Zambian Women, power and resources can be more easily achieved through collective efforts[9]. Further, the Theory of Social Capital can be applied in showing the nature and extent to which social interaction between communities and institutions shape economic performance.
Beyond it’s individual members, Women’s networking organizations like the NGOCC have immeasurable potential through Social groups. Social Networks are the structural element s that it has utilized in achieving the vast changes towards women’s progress (Table of Women’s Advocacy Actions Aided by Mobile Cellular Phone) not only within its immediate organizational environment but also Nationwide.
The findings of the research present an awakening to the untapped potential of the mobile phone. In the possession of many women, development related programs can be channeled through it to its owner.
· Disadvantaged communities are closer to advanced communication technologies like never before. However, the challenge remains utilizing advanced services like internet beyond the voice telephony. For women, the challenge is greater. The NGOCC suggests that women are slower to utilizing ICTs because of the cultural socialization that ingrains the expectation of boys taking an interest in Science subjects at school while girls are relegated to domestic subjects.
· As a tool the mobile Cellular Phone can be used to alleviate or enforce the negative cultural and historical discrimination of women. It is an opportunity for the creation of a reality that women want to see. The content created through it can be beneficial to women; it can be created and determined by women. It can present women as equals over the network with men who in face to face interaction would be a source of intimidation; it can be a communication platform that cuts across the boundaries of culture and sidesteps bureaucracies.
NEED FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
The research process was challenging in that there was generally inadequate gender databanks on women and ICT in women’s empowerment organizations visited. The chief source of information on the status of women remains the media, it must be noted that the media in Zambia still remains subjective in terms of progressive portrayal of the status of women in Zambia.
Further research on the potential of VOIP replacing traditional mobile Cellular Phone Telephony as a sustainable communication method needs to be explored; other research can focus on the health implications of using modified and outdated mobile cellular phones in poor communities.
SUMMARY
Mobile Cellular Phone Telephony can contribute to ‘Leap Frogging’ and Bridging the Digital Divide in Zambian sectors of society between Rural Areas and urban areas; Men and women; economically empowered communities and those that are Un-empowered. It can be a Conduit for Economic Development for women. Mobile Cellular Telephony can present the concepts of Freedom of Association and the Freedom of Expression as a Reality for Women; it can provide a space for Enhanced positions of Women within the Culturally Limiting Zambian Society. Women’s Mobile Communities are forming around Networks sustained by the use of Mobile Cellular Phones along varied common interests.









ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The research respondents where invaluable and I wish to thank them for taking their time off busy schedules to attend to me. Mato Shimabale Strategic Marketing Manager at Celtel Zambia, Bob Wang at ZTE, Charles Kaile Data clerk MMD Secretariat, Kiato Biemba Mobiliser MMD Secretariat, Felix Mwansa Research and publications MMD Secretariat, Mr. Daka Assistant Personnel Manager Zamtel, Susan Chilala Zambia Council for Social Development Zambia Association for Research and Development ZARD, Priscilla Mpundu former Past Executive Director ZARD, Susan Mwape CSO APRM Zambia, Priscilla Jere Oneworld, Leah Mitaba NGOCC, The NGOCC Secretariat and Zambia Competitions Commission ZCC.
















BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Effect of mobile telephony on empowering rural communities (Sinha 2005)
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http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=25563)

[1] Zambia National ICT Policy 2006
[2] NGOCC the Non Governmental Organizing Coordinating Council is a women’s Organisation umbrella body with a membership of 83 organizations representing varied mandates.
[3] Leap Frogging is a principle that is designed to help bridge the digital divide by implementing up-to-date technology in an area where that technology is not yet in use.
[4] Zambia National ICT Policy Lusaka 2006
[5] TABLE OF WOMEN’S ADVICACY ACTIONS AIDED BY MOBILE CELLULAR PHONE
Case
Context
Action taken through the Mobile Cellular Phone
Result
Elections monitoring
During the 2006 General elections, the NGOCC networks campaigned for women by communicating women candidates to vote for
Alerts to the membership during campaigns where sent via SMS and during counting of ballots, updates on whom was winning where sent on the minute. This was never before seen in the closely contested election as fears of indiscriminate vote rigging where largely dispelled as a result
There is currently the largest number of women in Government and parliament than ever before.
Firing of the mayor
In early 2007, the mayor of Lusaka Susan Nakazwe ; a woman was expelled from her party for taking part in a Presidential parade to welcome the Chinese President that was forbidden by the opposition party she belonged to
Updates to expose the gender implications of losing the mayor in the position where sent out across the country through the mobile. SMSs where also sent to her to giver her comfort
The Female mayor lost her position but is aware of the support rendered to her.
Firing of the minister of Health
The Female Minister of health Angela Cifire was fired from her post in mid 2007.
SMSs to Angela Cifire where sent to give her encouragement and advocacy messages for reinstatement where sent across the country
She was reinstated as minister but in the different portfolio of Deputy minister of Sport
The Arranged marriage of a UNZA Student
There is currently a case in the High Court of Zambia where a University of Zambia student is being forced it marriage to an older man residing in Somalia by her parents
Updates on court hearings are sent to inform supporters to turn up in numbers to give support to the Female student who has been shunned by her family
The Student has won the support of many Zambians and her case is public knowledge
The constitutional making process
The process of developing and adopting a constitutional making process is underway in Zambia
The process of adopting a constitution in Zambia Is currently a contentious one with parties arguing on the mode of adoption. SMSs sent to networks on the issue largely give reasons for the best modes of adoption and implications of bad constitutions
The Process is currently underway

[6] http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=25563
[7] Effect of mobile telephony on empowering rural communities (Sinha 2005)

[8] www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/idselect/iducom/79/791.pdf
[9] Effect of mobile telephony on empowering rural communities (Sinha 2005)