Biblioteca Complutense

"Information Literacy: A Catalyst for Health Information Seeking and Empowerment among Women in Rural Communities in Nigeria"  by Iwok Nnah

This paper discusses the gender dimensions of information literacy, skills acquisition and enhanced health information seeking behaviour. This will naturally lead to the empowerment of poor, illiterate women who are found mostly in the rural areas of Nigeria.  Information literacy is closely examined based on the premise that it can be taught to illiterates in a non-technological society. Beyond traditional library services, the paper suggests ways that libraries and librarians can pull down barriers by teaching information literacy skills to, rural women who traditionally are an underserved population. This will lead to better health outcomes and improved quality of life for the women, their children and the community at large.  This will have far-reaching effects on the Millennium Development Goals attainment in Nigeria and other developing countries.