Voices of rural women on digital social networks: exploration in the 11 de Noviembre parish

Abstract

Digital social networks have come to the world to modify people's experiences and lifestyles. This article exposes, in particular, the transformations in those women who live in rural sectors of the province of Cotopaxi. Specifically, the objective was to examine the perceptions and experiences of women from the rural parish of 11 de Noviembre about the role that social networks play in the expression of their voices. The specific objectives focused on examining the patterns of continuity and change identified by the women of the 11 de Noviembre parish in relation to the arrival, adoption and consolidation of digital social networks and identifying how they perceive and experience the opportunities, restrictions and challenges of the use of networks. We worked with a qualitative approach, with a descriptive exploratory level, the techniques applied were the semi-structured interview in which thirteen women participated and a focus group in which nine women participated. The results established how the arrival of digital social networks has impacted women in the area; although geographical barriers have been broken and have facilitated access to information, they have also reduced other forms of personal interaction. In addition, social networks have opened empowerment processes for women by offering them new business opportunities and collective organization. These results provide relevant data to understand the context, the forms of immersion and the challenges inherent to the presence of digital social networks.