[kictanet] Kenya ranked 53 out of 81 in web index ranking

[Esther Muchiri]

The Web Index that measures the World Wide Web's contribution to development
and human rights globally has been released. 

 

Designed and produced by the World Wide Web Foundation, the Web Index is the
world's first multi-dimensional measure of the Web's growth, utility and
impact on people and nations. Sweden ranked highest for the second year
running, with Norway in second. The UK and US come third and fourth
respectively, but both come in for criticism for surveillance practices. New
Zealand rounds out the top five. 

 

Kenya ranked number 53, of the 81 countries released with a web index score
of 36.8 out of a maximum of 100. South Africa and Mauritius ranked better
than Kenya at position 35 and 37 respectively. Scores are given in the areas
of access; freedom and openness; relevant content; and empowerment. First
released in 2012, the 2013 Index has been expanded and refined to include 20
new countries and features an enhanced data set, particularly in the areas
of gender, Open Data, privacy rights and security. 

 

Kenya ranked poorly on universal access with a web index score of 27.7,
while South Africa and Mauritius had a web index rank of 53.2 and 44.1.
Iceland ranked best in universal access. UK ranked best in having relevant
content. Norway had the highest rank in openness and freedom while United
States had the internet having the greatest impact on its people. The report
suggests that targeted censorship of Web content by governments was
widespread across the globe. 94% of countries in the Web Index did not meet
best practice standards for checks and balances on government interception
of electronic communications. In 80% of the countries studied, the Web and
social media had played a role in public mobilisation in the past year, and
in half of these cases, had been a major catalyst. Rich countries did not
necessarily rank highly in the Web Index. The study shows that once
countries surpass a GDP threshold of USD 12,000 per capita, the link between
wealth and Web Index rank weakened significantly. 

 

Only 56% of Web Index countries were assessed as allocating 'significant'
resources to ICT training programmes targeting women and men equally. 

 

Source: The Web Index, Standard Investment Bank

 

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Esther W. Muchiri, Executive Director

 

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Courage and initiative come when you understand your purpose in life.

 
John C. Maxwell (Running with the Giants)

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