Bridging the Gap: Unveiling the Gendered Digital Divide in Haryana State, India

Abstract

This study investigates the gender-specific digital divide regarding ICT access, affordability, and ICT skills, focusing on four districts of Haryana: Gurugram, Panchkula, Mahendragarh, and Nuh, selected based on the level of the SDG index ranking for quality education in Haryana. The SDG ranking provides a relevant context for understanding the problem. The researcher collected data from 120 respondents (60 men and 60 women) across four districts. The data was collected with questionnaires and interviews. The questionnaire was related to ownership of ICT devices, employment status, and basic and advanced skills needed for using that device. The findings revealed that women lacked access and affordability; forty percent of women did not own a phone, and 90 percent of women were unemployed, proving the fact. More than 80 percent of women do not have advanced skills, which is a significant ICT skill gap. Additionally, a Statistical analysis using the chi-square test showed a p-value less than 0.05 for all three hypotheses (gender and ICT access, affordability, and skills), indicating a strong impact of gender on the digital divide.