Women's Empowerment and Digital India: Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

The Government of India launched the initiative "Digital India" in 2015. The aim of this initiative is to transform India into a digitally enabled society and a knowledge-based economy. With the Digital India scheme, all types of government services, banking, education, health and employment opportunities have now been made available online. The active participation of women in this transformation is very important, as digital empowerment is an effective tool for their economic, social and educational advancement. For women, the “Digital India Scheme” is a path to equal opportunities and self-reliance in society. Women constitute about 48% of India’s population and their participation is essential for the progress of the country. Thanks to digital media, women now have access to information, education and job opportunities. In rural areas, women are actively using e-commerce, digital payments and online services. The government has launched several initiatives to empower women, such as PMGDISHA (Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan), Digital Saksharta Abhiyan, Stand Up India, Mahila E-Haat and Amazon Saheli. These programs have played a significant role in increasing the economic and digital empowerment of women. However, many challenges still remain for women who want to participate in the digital sector, including issues such as lack of literacy, limited internet access, cybersecurity threats and social constraints. The objective of this research is to consider the extent of women’s participation in Digital India, its economic and social impacts and the challenges they face and to provide recommendations for women’s empowerment. The findings show that although the increase in digital tools has boosted women’s empowerment, there is still a need for more training, a safe environment and supportive policies. This article reviews the opportunities and challenges for women’s empowerment through Digital India. For this, the research is based on secondary data sources such as government reports and census data.