  Diffusion of ICTs provide possibilities for women empowerment by greater
participation and enhanced gender-based digital equality. However, a critical
analysis reveals that as ICT diffusion widens, there is a persistent threat of
widening the gender-based digital divide and exposes women to online sexual
abuses, predominantly in developing countries characterized by the gendered
nature of the social structure. Instead of accepting ICT as the facilitator to
women empowerment, in this paper, we develop a critical research framework for
a gender-focused examination of ICT4D studies. Critical research methodology
provides the appropriate ontology unveiling social realities through
challenging the status quo and exposing the deeper societal inequalities. Using
the critical research framework developed, we investigate past ICT4D
initiatives and artifacts from literature and draw critical conclusions of its
benefits and issues. This study would aid future ICT4D research to investigate
areas of gender discrimination and understand the role of ICTs in a critical
light.
