Mobile phoneshave become widespread all over the world, including in rural and low-income communities.
We conducteda studywith women from theNigerian city of Kanoto see how they were using themobile messaging service WhatsApp.
We wanted to know whether the app had opened up opportunities and freedoms that contributed to empowering them.
Many women said that WhatsApp had allowed them to communicate better, particularly with local politicians.
They felt empowered to talk about their concerns openly in WhatsApp discussion groups.
They had more access to information.
Others joined religious study groups on WhatsApp, sharing questions and knowledge with other women.
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Some women converted their access into opportunity.
For instance, they advertised small businesses or services on WhatsApp groups, and earned money as a result.
WhatsApp and the women in Kano
Kano is a predominantly Muslim community.
First, we identified two women leaders in community groups to help us find participants for the study.
Some had become more politically empowered.
Some of the issues have been addressed now.
In other cases they were able to get help with their childrens homework.
WhatsApp also proved to be a valuable source of information about health and safety.
It includes preventive measures such as washing vegetables thoroughly, adding salt while washing and boiling water before drinking.
The focus groups participants repeatedly mentioned that WhatsApp groups made them feel like part of a community.
There was a strong commitment to working together and solving problems.
A customer is allowed to choose the method of payment and also the method of delivery.
These business women have also used WhatsApp to reach out to their customers on changes in prices.
With the current economic situation in country, market prices fluctuate on a daily basis.
The women use the forum as a platform where they can post and discuss changes in market prices.
The women now have greater access to customers all over Nigeria.
Postings about jobs and vacancies also formed part of the discussion in these WhatsApp groups.
These jobs included household jobs, events and catering.
This post was originally published byiAfrikan.
