Empowering women through technology: building an inclusive and skilled global workforce

Technology is a significant agent of change in today’s world. It has changed the way we access and use information. It has transformed communications, entertainment, education, financial services, agriculture, healthcare, and governance by enabling access to a global repository of knowledge and skills on the Internet.

It has also created opportunities for countries like India to drive inclusive growth transcending race, caste, gender, and location. With career opportunities in diverse domains enabled by technology, skilling, and education ecosystems that keep pace and prepare the workforce are important.

In a traditional society, education and employment choices for women are governed by many factors. Location is a major limitation – women are constrained by their families to study and work in places where their families are. This is a big issue in Tier II and Tier III locations around India. Gender-based discrimination in education choices and employment is rampant. In financially constrained families, boys get priority for funding for education and skilling.

This gap must be bridged because women constitute 50% of our population and have the potential to contribute to India’s vision to be a ‘developed country’ by 2047.

Some of these roadblocks are easily addressed by technology. Women can learn from anywhere and in a few cases, work from anywhere. They are no longer limited by location.

It is important to equip women with digital skills not just digital literacy. This will give wings to their ambitions.

They can pursue online learning and expand their knowledge and skills. They can handle banking and other financial services and manage their money better, for financial independence. They can leverage learning to create and manage micro/small businesses.

As industries increasingly rely on technology, equipping women with digital skills enhances their employability and ensures active participation in the evolving workforce. Promoting digital literacy among women is a step towards achieving gender equality and fostering inclusive economic growth.

Women undergoing technical education – at vocational and/or tertiary levels – have a huge opportunity to participate in the global workforce so long as they have the right skills and knowledge. Large job opportunities are available in domains like cloud computing, full-stack development, generative artificial intelligence, and sustainable (green) technologies. With skills, women can leverage these opportunities in locations of their choice, including their hometowns. This domain abounds with work-from-home opportunities.

Technology-enabled learning is cost-effective and easily available to anyone who wishes to learn and develop their skills and careers. Free and paid courses are available to anyone with internet access from multiple platforms. Many platforms offer hybrid and blended learning opportunities free of cost or at nominal charges.

Civil societies, non-profits, and governments have played critical roles in narrowing the digital divide and creating an inclusive skilling ecosystem that caters to learners irrespective of race, gender, or location. Socially responsible companies have leveraged their CSR programmes to play a significant role in India’s inclusive growth story.

Empowering women through technology skilling is both an imperative and an economic necessity. India cannot become a developed economy without including women, at scale, in its workforce.

By addressing the digital divide, we can unlock the immense potential of our women to create a skilled workforce ready for the future. Collaboration among governments, NGOs, and private enterprises is crucial to achieving this vision. It is time we work towards building a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone thrives in the digital age.

(Nagesh Singh is Chairman of Edunet Foundation.)

(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of YourStory.)