Gender as a factor deepening the digital divide

Information and communication technologies are mainstay of our life since we benefit ICTs, especially computer and internet, in almost every area of our lives. However, everyone cannot benefit ICTs equally. An overview of research and available data shows that women who are the majority of the whole world are disadvantaged group compared to men when access of ICTs and use of ICTs. There are many barriers such as unequal access to education, not having technological skills, lack of financial resources, their families making decision on their behalf, lack of access to transport and inability to leave the home and to frequent comfortably cyber cafes or information centres which are located in central places in general in front of women’s access and use of ICTs. In consequence, this study aims to investigate the evidence for digital divide based on gender inequality over Turkey, and for this purpose some data on this issue have been used. Although this study tries to show that women have inequalities in the use and access of ICTs as well as in many areas of life, it is not enough to examine all aspects of the subject. This study was penned in order to create awareness and draw attention to the issue. Keywords: Information and communication technologies, gender inequality, digital divide;