Using the 2018 MICS Data, Does Access to ICT Add to Women's Happiness in DR Congo? An Econometric Case Study

Abstract

This study examines the effect of the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) on women's subjective perception of happiness in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) based on the 2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS-Palu). The choice of this period is based solely on the availability and reliability of the variables used. The ICT usage index is the variable of interest in the estimated models. It is constructed using the ACM method and is based on five variables measuring the frequency of telephone, computer, and internet use, as well as the frequency of television viewing and radio listening. By performing an ordinal logistic regression analysis on a sample of 21,756 observations, the results confirm the hypothesis that there are plausible reasons to describe ICT as a desirable event likely to improve women's subjective well-being. The results also show that this effect is much greater for women living in urban areas than for those living in rural areas. Finally, the results show that this effect is less significant for women living in unions. It is therefore essential that policymakers implement strategies to expand access to ICT, particularly by strengthening technological infrastructure in rural areas, where women are often disadvantaged in terms of access to information and digital resources. Investing in targeted awareness-raising and training programs on the use of ICTs could also promote better integration of these technologies into women's daily lives, enabling them to take full advantage of the opportunities they offer. In addition, it would be useful to study and address the complex dynamics associated with the use of ICTs in the marital context. Educational programs could include specific modules on digital interactions within couples to raise awareness among partners about the benefits and challenges of using technology. This could help create a more favorable environment for the use of ICTs, thereby reducing potential tensions.