Digital Technology: Reduce sex intervals in access to labor markets

The gender nature of digital access reflects significant obstacles in the use of digital technology to increase the participation of women’s labor force. This paper uses data of a national representative survey conducted by NSSO in 2020-21, so that the gender nature of access to digital technology can be examined, and more especially, access to mobile phones and internet and effects on women’s labor force participation rate (FLPR). At a widespread difference (through increased coverage), the total access of mobile phones in rural India increases, while intense difference (exclusive mobile access) FLPR only improves urban India. In addition, the availability of internet at home increases the impact of mobile phones on the participation of women’s labor market in urban India. Finally, digital literacy increases the impact of the use of mobile phones on FLPR, but only in urban India. Based on these results, writers propose actionable steps that governments, private sector, and NGOs can apply collaboratively to increase the digital access of women and provide opportunities that can improve their labor market participation.