Digital Divide and Access to Online Information Among Rural Women in Zamfara State

This study examines the digital divide and its specific impact on online information access among rural women in Zamfara State, North West Nigeria. Women in rural northern Nigeria face compound barriers to information access, including gender-based restrictions on mobility, low educational attainment, limited smartphone ownership, and cultural norms that restrict women's technology use. Understanding the dimensions of this divide is essential for designing inclusive communication policies. This study uses a descriptive survey design, collecting data from 260 rural women in Gusau, Bungudu, and Kaura-Namoda local government areas through structured interviews conducted by female enumerators. Digital access variables assessed include smartphone ownership, internet connectivity, WhatsApp use, exposure to online health and agricultural information, and perceived barriers to digital adoption. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression identify predictors of digital access. Findings reveal that only 22 percent of sampled rural women own smartphones, compared to 68 percent of rural men in comparison data from the same area. Among those with smartphone access, 58 percent report family restrictions on internet use as a significant barrier. Educational attainment is the strongest predictor of digital access, with women with secondary education 4.3 times more likely to access online information. Agricultural and health information accessed through digital platforms is rated as highly valuable by those who access it, suggesting strong demand if barriers were removed. The study concludes that the digital divide for rural Zamfara women is severe and multidimensional. It recommends digital literacy programmes combining device access with culturally sensitive training approaches.

Keywords: digital divide, rural women, Zamfara State, information access, gender and technology.