1 Characteristics and factors that discriminate Internet users from non-user information seekers: the case of rural women in Tanzania Edda Tandi LWOGA 1 , Wallace CHIGONA 2 1 Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P. O. Box 65001, Dar es salaam, Tanzania Tel: +255-22-2151462, Fax: +255-22-2151462, Email: tlwoga@gmail.com 2 University of Cape Town, Department of Information Systems, South Africa Tel: +27-21 - 650 2261, Email: wallace.chigona@uct.ac.za Abstract: The study determined the information needs and information-seeking patterns of rural women living in communities surrounding telecentres in Tanzania. The study used a questionnaire survey to collect data from users and non-users of Internet in three rural districts in Tanzania that have telecentres: Sengerema, Kongwa and Kilosa districts. The study findings showed that information needs of both users and non-users were location-specific. Although there were similarities in the major information needs and information-seeking patterns of both users and non-users of Internet, some variations were noted. Education level, income and number of information sources used played a key role in discriminating users and non-users in online information seeking. The study recommends that telecentres should conduct regular user studies, create awareness, disseminate information in local languages and multiple formats, collaborate with other local stakeholders, and provide educational programmes and information services relevant to socio-economic activities of the communities. Keywords: information behaviour, online information-seeking behaviour, Internet users, rural women, Tanzania 1. Introduction Within the context of development, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have created new economic and social opportunities across the world. In developing countries, access to ICTs and especially Internet is increasing, due to advancements of mobile phone technologies and establishments of community-based ICT initiatives in the form of telecentres. Internet enhances access to information that is context-specific, delivered timeously, which can enable disadvantaged groups such as women to communicate, network, collaborate, raise their concerns about discriminatory laws and unjust actions at local levels, and to participate in civic, social, political, and economic processes that are essential to achieving change [1–3]. The use of Internet, however, continues to be controlled by the existing power relations in the communities, whereby women are regularly disadvantaged in terms of access and use of these technologies. Gender digital divide is prevalent worldwide. A review of empirical research on the impacts of public access to ICTs also revealed that telecentre users are primarily young males with relatively high socio-economic status and prior access to the Internet [4]. This finding holds both for Asia [5] and Africa [6]. The gender digital divide is predominant in less- developed countries. In 2013, it was estimated that there were 16% fewer women than men using the Internet in less-developed countries, while, there were only 2% fewer women than men who use the Internet in developed countries [7]. This gender digital divide is largely attributed to a