A new research paper authored by Cledwyn Fernandez, Havishaye Puri, and Shravani Prakash from ICRIER, New Delhi, delves into the gendered nature of digital access and its impact on female labor force participation in India. The study uses data from a survey conducted by the NSSO in 2020-21 to analyze access to mobile phones and the internet and its effect on the female labor force participation rate (FLPR).
The research found that access to mobile phones can increase FLPR in rural India through increased coverage, while in urban areas, FLPR improves only with exclusive mobile access. Additionally, having internet available at home enhances the effect of mobile phone use on women’s labor market participation in urban India. Digital literacy was also found to boost the impact of mobile phone use on FLPR, primarily in urban areas.
Based on these findings, the authors propose actionable steps for governments, the private sector, and NGOs to collaborate on improving women’s digital access and creating opportunities to enhance their labor market participation. By addressing the gendered barriers to digital technology, there is potential to increase female labor force participation rates in India.
The study sheds light on the importance of addressing gender disparities in digital access to promote gender equality in the workforce and highlights the need for targeted interventions to bridge the digital gender divide. The full paper can be accessed for further reading and exploration of the research findings.
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