Women's Digital Literacy in Village Information System Use

Abstract

Digital literacy plays a pivotal role in empowering rural communities, especially in the context of the rapidly evolving digital era. In Indonesia, initiatives like the Village Information System (SID) have been introduced to improve local governance through e-governance platforms. However, the specific challenges and opportunities faced by women in these rural digital initiatives remain understudied. This research focuses on the digital literacy of women in Randegan Village, Banyumas, and their engagement with SID. Despite growing attention to digital literacy, there is limited understanding of the gendered dimensions of participation in village-level digital programs. This study addresses this gap by examining how women in rural settings perceive and interact with digital technologies, particularly in the realm of local governance. The research employed a qualitative approach. Four key dimensions of digital literacy were explored: digital skills, security, ethics, and culture. The findings reveal that while basic digital literacy is emerging, particularly among community leaders. Although awareness of digital ethics and security is increasing, it has not yet translated into consistent practice. Moreover, traditional communication methods are still preferred over digital platforms for civic engagement, and women's participation in SID management remains limited.