The Role of Women's Digital Inclusion in Economic Development

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to women's digital inclusion and its role in economic development in emerging markets, based on lecture notes.

Digital Inclusion

More than just access; a critical enabler of sustainable economic growth.

Digital Gender Divide

A persistent gap that limits women's participation in the digital economy.

Global Internet Usage Gender Gap

Globally, 62% of men use the internet compared to just 57% of women, with approximately 234 million fewer women using mobile internet in low- and middle-income countries.

Global Financial Inclusion Gender Gap

Has not changed since 2011, reaching 9 percentage points in developing countries.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)

An Indian scheme under which 56% of 460 million new bank accounts were opened by women.

Women-Owned MSMEs in West Bengal

Constitute 23.42% of the total, representing the highest share in India.

Atal Pension Yojana (APY) Gender Gap

Narrowed, with female subscribers increasing from 37% in 2016 to 44% in 2021.

Most Influential Factor in Women's Digital Financial Tool Adoption

Trust in technology.

Affordability (Barrier)

High costs of devices and data plans that disproportionately affect women.

Low Digital Literacy (Barrier)

A lack of foundational skills and knowledge preventing effective technology use by women.

Social & Cultural Norms (Barrier)

Deeply ingrained societal beliefs and practices that restrict women's access to and control over technology.

Lack of Trust (Barrier)

Pervasive skepticism about technology and digital services hindering adoption by women.

Safety and Security (Barrier)

Increased risk of online harassment and gender-based violence discouraging women from engaging in digital spaces.

Triple Divide

The compounded exclusion faced by women in rural areas due to digital, gender, and rural disparities.

Patriarchal Norms (Barrier)

Deeply rooted social and cultural expectations that often restrict women's mobility and ability to interact with financial institutions.

Restricted Autonomy (Barrier)

Women often face limitations in financial decision-making within households, restricting independent use of financial products.

Language Diversity (Barrier)

Lack of services and educational materials in local languages, increasing confusion and reducing trust for women.

Limited Access to Credit (Barrier)

Significant hurdles women face in accessing formal credit due to lack of collateral and gender biases.

Wage Disparity (Barrier)

Women's overrepresentation in the informal economy, facing discrimination, job insecurity, and limited legal protections.

The 'Unseen' Sector (Barrier)

Women performing 76.2% of unpaid housework and childcare, which is not recognized in economic metrics.

Lack of Access to Devices (Barrier)

Refers to women often not owning or having limited control over digital devices like smartphones.

Poor Connectivity (Barrier)

Unreliable internet service and a lack of broadband infrastructure in many developing regions.

Lack of Relevant Content (Barrier)

Digital content and services often not designed with women's needs in mind or unavailable in local languages.

Underrepresentation in STEM

Globally, women have lower levels of digital literacy and are significantly underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields.

Targeted Policies (Solution)

Government policies for equal access and financial institutions designing women-centered products to close the digital gender gap.

Collaborative Ecosystems (Solution)

Fostering partnerships between governments, NGOs, and the private sector to design inclusive solutions.

Data-Driven Solutions (Solution)

Collecting sex-disaggregated data to measure progress and identify new gaps in women's digital inclusion.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Specifically SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), which recognize the central role of financial inclusion in promoting gender equality.

Impact of Digital Inclusion on Women

Positively impacts employment opportunities and financial independence, leading to investment in families and broader economic expansion.

Women's Empowerment via Digital Inclusion

Unlocks women's full potential as entrepreneurs, innovators, and economic agents, leading to improved livelihoods and sustainable development.