One of the most significant ways in which technology can contribute to gender equality is by improving access to education for girls and women
Gender equality has been a longstanding issue in India, with women facing numerous challenges and barriers in various aspects of life including education, employment, and access to resources etc. However, with the advent of new technologies and innovative solutions, there is now an opportunity to bridge the gender gap and empower women in India. The DigitalALL movement is a crucial step towards promoting gender equality in India and empowering women through technology and digital innovation. With the United Nations recognizing this as a key theme in 2023, it is expected that significant progress will be made towards achieving these goals.
Empowering Women in Education
One of the most significant ways in which technology can contribute to gender equality is by improving access to education for girls and women. India has made significant strides in increasing access to education for girls, but there is still a long way to go. DigitalAll is making significant contribution to empowering women in education by providing them with access to digital technologies, online courses, mentorship programs and experiential learning opportunities. It is breaking down the stereotypes and biases that have traditionally held women back from education. With robust, ever-growing Internet connectivity in India, the online courses and e-learning segment have grown to enable women to access quality education from anywhere at anytime.
Digital innovation and technology have made significant strides in promoting gender equality in India in the realm of education. One such example is the use of mobile apps to provide girls in rural areas with access to educational resources. The app ‘Learn English’ developed by the nonprofit organization Pratham is one such initiative. The app uses game-based learning to teach English language skills and is designed to work offline, making it accessible to students in areas with poor internet connectivity. Digital tools such as email, instant messaging, and video conferencing make it easier for women to communicate and collaborate with their peers and teachers. This can be especially beneficial for women who may not be able to attend in-person classes due to personal or professional commitments. Digital platforms can help level the playing field for women, by providing them with access to the same educational resources and opportunities as their male counterparts. This can be especially beneficial in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), where women are often underrepresented.
Employment Opportunities
Another area where technology is being used to promote gender equality in India is in the workplace. Startups such as SheThePeople.TV and Jobs For Her are leveraging technology to provide women with opportunities to upskill, connect with mentors, and find employment. SheThePeople.TV is an online media platform that focuses on women’s stories and perspectives, while JobsForHer is an online job portal that connects women with job opportunities and offers support with career transitions. The rise of digital entrepreneurship and e-commerce has created new opportunities for women to start their own businesses and become self-employed.
Improved Healthcare and Well-being
In the field of healthcare, technology is also being used to improve access to services for women in India. The government’s ‘Maternal Health Programme’ uses mobile technology to provide expectant mothers with information on antenatal care, nutrition, and pregnancy-related complications. The initiative has been successful in improving maternal health outcomes, particularly in rural areas, where access to healthcare is limited. Digital Technologies have played a significant role in empowering women’s health and creating a more equal and just society by providing them with healthcare information, resources, and services. Telemedicine, mobile health apps and wearable devices are becoming increasingly popular in India, allowing women to remotely get medical advice and help them make more informed decisions about their healthcare.
Increased Participation in Politics
DigitalALL has helped to increase the participation of women in the political sphere. With social media and other digital tools, women are now able to engage more in political discourse and have their voices heard. Women are now taking on leadership roles in politics and advocating for policies that promote gender equality and women’s rights. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the proportion of women elected to parliament was the highest ever, with 78 women out of 543 MPs. This represents a significant increase from just 22 women in the first Lok Sabha in 1952. Despite this progress, there is still much work to be done to achieve full gender equality in politics in India.
In addition to these initiatives, several innovative technologies are being developed specifically to address gender inequality in India. One such example is the ‘Smart Electric Sari’ developed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. The garment, which incorporates smart textile technology, features sensors that can detect the wearer’s body temperature and adjust the temperature of the fabric accordingly. The sari is designed to be worn by women who work in factories or other environments with extreme temperatures, providing them with comfort and safety.
Challenges to Overcome
While innovation and technology offer great promise in promoting gender equality in India, they are not without their challenges. One significant challenge is the digital gender divide, where women are less likely to have access to technology and digital literacy skills than men. While digital platforms have the potential to empower women, many are unable to use them due to a lack of knowledge and skills. This holds true especially when it comes to digital finance. To address this, initiatives such as ‘Digital SakshartaAbhiyan’ are being implemented to provide digital literacy training to women in rural areas. The Digital Saksharta Abhiyan is a government initiative in India that aims to provide digital literacy training to people in rural areas, including women. The program was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology as part of the Digital India campaign. The program is particularly focused on empowering women in rural areas by providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to participate in the digital economy and access various government services online. The training is provided through a network of training centers located in rural areas, and the program also provides financial incentives to encourage people to participate in the training.
Another challenge is the lack of diversity in varied industries. Women continue to face significant barriers to employment, including discrimination, limited access to education and training, and cultural and societal norms that limit their participation in the workforce. Whether in boardrooms or on the shop floor, the need for more diversity in varied industries is a question plaguing all. Women are significantly underrepresented in various industries for the example tech sector, which limits the potential for innovation and technology to drive gender equality. Initiatives that promote women’s participation, mentorship programs, capacity-building initiatives etc. are needed to ensure that women’s voices are heard in the development of digital technologies.
In conclusion, innovation and technology are playing an increasingly vital role in promoting gender equality in India. From education to healthcare and the workplace, these innovations offer new solutions to long-standing challenges. However, to realize their full potential, efforts must be made to ensure that these technologies are accessible to all, regardless of gender or socioeconomic status. The digital transformation represents a significant opportunity to close the digital gender gap and build a more inclusive digital world. The G20 efforts to address this issue are an important step forward, and it is essential that we continue to prioritize gender equality in the digital space. By doing so, we can create a more just, prosperous, and innovative world for all.
