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Is Mobile Phone Use Invading Multiple Boundaries? A Study of Rural Illiterate Women in India

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  • Chhavi Garg

Abstract

Blurring various boundaries of age, place of residence (urban/rural) and sociocultural–economic factors, the mobile phone has become an integral part of everyday life of almost everyone in this world. Through the identification of differences in accessibility and use of technology including the mobile phone, a digital divide is seen to be emerging, and what is of great concern is the emergence of a digital gender divide. The article is based on a study of mobile phone use by rural illiterate women in India, exploring whether three different parameters, namely, place of residence (rural or urban), gender and illiteracy, are hindering the use of the mobile phone or not. Nearly 85 per cent of the rural illiterate women studied were found to be using a mobile phone without necessarily owning it. It was their quickest means of communication and receiving information. A further improvement such as a community radio through which interaction with the outside world can be facilitated should be encouraged.

Suggested Citation

  • Chhavi Garg, 2021. "Is Mobile Phone Use Invading Multiple Boundaries? A Study of Rural Illiterate Women in India," Indian Journal of Gender Studies, Centre for Women's Development Studies, vol. 28(1), pages 29-45, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:indgen:v:28:y:2021:i:1:p:29-45
    DOI: 10.1177/0971521520974845
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sekabira, Haruna & Qaim, Matin, 2017. "Can Mobile Phones Improve Gender Equality and Nutrition? Panel Data Evidence from Farm Households in Uganda," GlobalFood Discussion Papers 256215, Georg-August-Universitaet Goettingen, GlobalFood, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development.
    2. Sekabira, Haruna & Qaim, Matin, 2017. "Can mobile phones improve gender equality and nutrition? Panel data evidence from farm households in Uganda," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 95-103.
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