Information Communication for Development in Shinyanga

The crucial role that information plays among rural people to ensure their full and active participation in development is well known and has been on the development agenda for three decades now. With the acceleration of development work in Third World countries, and the increased attention being given to gender issues in development, developing effective communication strategies that will help engage men and women equally in development activities and address problems of participatory exclusions of vulnerable groups has been a challenge for development workers.This work provides insights into problems relating to information communication in rural development.Communication strategies of development workers were analysed from a gender perspective in the light of their ability to engage rural communities in participatory processes.This analysis should help shed more light on issues on communication among rural communities such as addressing participatory exclusions of the poor, power relations and struggles at community level, and should be especially useful to practitioners in development communication and work,and anyone who is interested in improving the lives of rural people.

Autorentext

Joyce Otsyina, PhD:International and Rural Development,the University of Reading, UK. Currently working as a Consultant in rural development with Development Associates,Dar es Salaam Chris Garforth, PhD: Land Economist. Professor for agricultural extension and rural development, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading.