Published Online:October 2024
Product Name:The IUP Journal of Applied Economics
Product Type:Article
Product Code:AE011024
Author Name:Usha Nori and Shaheen
Availability:YES
Subject/Domain:Economics
Download Format:PDF
Pages:16
This study explores the transformative potential of 5G technology in empowering women in India, with a focus on how access to 5G can influence key indicators of women’s empowerment, such as education, health, economic opportunities, safety, and civic participation. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach to analyze perceptions of 5G across diverse demographics. The findings reveal significant relationships between demographic factors and perceptions of 5G’s potential for empowerment. A multiple linear regression model highlights key predictors of empowerment, including understanding of 5G benefits, access to education, and its impact on entrepreneurship, healthcare, and safety. Additionally, the study employs machine learning techniques to classify the likelihood of leveraging 5G for women’s empowerment. The study identifies critical barriers to 5G adoption, including digital literacy gaps, gender biases, and infrastructure challenges, and recommends targeted policy interventions, such as digital literacy workshops, public awareness campaigns, and partnerships with telecom companies to provide affordable access.
Science, technology, and innovation (STI) form an important corridor in the sustainable development goals (SDGs) envisioned by the UN to achieve inclusivity, especially for women. However, the gray reality that surrounds the technology environment is that women are always underrepresented, especially in India, despite the meteoric rise of the technology sector. This is where the rapidly increasing realm of 5G technology emerges as a beacon of hope, poised to not only bridge the digital divide but also empower women across India.