Gender Digital Divide in India

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology provides an excellent opportunity to reform the governance process. It helps people and countries across the globe to deal with the changing situations and disruption created by COVID-19. But the rapid proliferation of ICT along with the digital divide brings several consequences comprising educational barriers, worsening gender discrimination and so on. The gender digital divide- the gap or inequalities present between women and men regarding their access to and use of ICT- is a global phenomenon and badly affects women in developing countries. Even though India has the second highest number of internet users in the world gender digital divide is a major hindrance to India's journey towards digitalization. Digitalization has gained importance and a new meaning due to the after-effects of the pandemic. Large sections of the Indian population especially women have limited access to the internet and basic digital services. Several adverse factors combine and they create plummeting effects on women's digital inclusion in India. This article seeks to analyze the existing gender digital divide and the factors which are responsible for or amplify the gender digital inequality in India.