G20 Proposal: India's Digital Gender Gap And The Urgency To Bridge It

India's Digital Gender gap renders more women digitally disabled than men. This is a situation that needs to be rectified. 

Unicef's report points out that 90 percent of employment opportunities require digital participation. It has been observed that such participation in most cases comes from more men than women. 

India's Digital Gender Gap And What It Means For Women 

This report states that only 41 percent of women have internet access in developing countries. The number is 53 percent for men. It is less likely by 20 percent for a woman to have her own smartphone. She is more likely to use a family member's phone when in need. The report states that young boys compared to young girls are 1.8 times more likely to own a smartphone. 

Another report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development revealed that women comprise only 15 percent of software designers. ICUBE report of 2020 states that only 42 percent of females use the internet compared to 58 percent of males. The percentage of first-time users of the internet among women stands at 33.3 percent compared to 57.1 percent of males. 

UNESCO reports revealing that the education of 168 girl children was affected during the pandemic. 

India makes 40 percent of world transactions digitally. 2022 recorded 49 billion transactions taking place in India.

From social to financial inclusion, digital has become a survival accessory for people in India. Therefore, digital growth might never reach its full potential if it continues to exclude women.

The digital gender gap needs to be addressed in employment, health, skilling, transportation, education, and banking.

The second Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GFPI) took place in Hyderabad on the 5th of March.The G20 Empower and W20 plan to work on the gender digital divide existing in India by promoting gender equity. PM Modi's Nari Shakti this year at the G20 aspires to double down on the issue of the digital divide that women face. India hopes to work toward the issue and its place at the Leader's Declaration in the G20 New Delhi Summit.

G20 therefore can be expected to work on the digital inclusion of women throughout the year and not just as a part of the women's day conversation.

Suggested reading: Significance Of W20: What Is The Way Forward For Women-Led Development