Gendering the Digital Divide in India

This paper describes the digital divide between men and women in India. The recent pandemic has digitalized the world faster than was anticipated. It has been found that women are somewhere at a loss as they have inequitable access and skills in usage of digital devices. There is scarce gender disaggregated data available in India on access and usage of digital devices in India. The paper has used the data published by National Family Health Survey 5 published by Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, Government of India to analyze the growth of access of digital devices by women in India and also the gender gap in access and usage of internet. The first and second order digital divide is further explored by correlating the significant factors that have an impact on gender digital divide in India. The paper has also divide the states in four to identify and reduce this gender digital gap and achieve meaningful outcomes