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Women’s Employment and Digital Technology: A Regional Analysis in India

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  • Balwant Singh Mehta
  • Ishwar Awasthi
  • Nidhi Mehta

Abstract

The article explores women’s employment and the future of work due to the changing nature of jobs as a result of the onslaught of new technologies. Adoption of new digital technologies, industry 4.0 technologies and the increasing influence of platform or gig economy has had intense effects on the ‘future of work’, causing dramatic changes. Further, COVID-19 has severely impacted the economy, especially women, reflected in the consistent fall in female labour force participation across states. The unemployment rate (UR) is significantly higher among urban women. A large proportion of woman workers are vulnerable from automation because of their low-skill and the unskilled and routine nature of their work. The risk of automation is much higher in the case of women working in manufacturing and modern services. Women in India are engaged largely in traditional jobs with low level of education and skill, and having limited or negligible social security, particularly in the unorganised sector. The article is based on the secondary data provided by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) and uses the International Labour Organization (ILO) skill framework. The analysis clearly shows that skill sets among women is abysmally low. Noticeably, enhancing skill development as per the emerging market demand, including digital literacy, will go a long way to expand job opportunities for women.

Suggested Citation

  • Balwant Singh Mehta & Ishwar Awasthi & Nidhi Mehta, 2021. "Women’s Employment and Digital Technology: A Regional Analysis in India," Indian Journal of Human Development, , vol. 15(3), pages 427-442, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:inddev:v:15:y:2021:i:3:p:427-442
    DOI: 10.1177/09737030211064138
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Xuewei Li & Jinpei Wu & Xueyan Li, 2018. "Theory of Practical Cellular Automaton," Springer Books, Springer, number 978-981-10-7497-4, January.
    6. Ljubica Nedelkoska & Glenda Quintini, 2018. "Automation, skills use and training," OECD Social, Employment and Migration Working Papers 202, OECD Publishing.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sarah Maggioli & Liliana Cunha, 2023. "A Systematic Review Discussing the Sustainability of Men and Women’s Work in Industry 4.0: Are Technologies Gender-Neutral?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-17, March.

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