In 2016, the digital economy was valued at USD 11.5 trillion, or 15 per cent of the world’s GDP, and it is projected to grow rapidly – but are women and other socio-economically marginalised groups able to reap the benefits of this growth? Globally, there is a glaring gender digital divide, especially in the Global South, that manifests at the intersections of gender, race, and caste with serious social and economic fallouts for women who belong to some of the world’s most socially and economically excluded groups.

This came into sharp focus during the pandemic, when a majority of informal workers, businesses, banks, schools, health services, and importantly, government relief measures and social protection services had to be accessed digitally, and women, especially socio-economically marginalised women, lost their livelihoods and fell out of the social security net. This divide has distanced women, girls and other socio-economically marginalised groups from their livelihoods and vital services like education, health, financial inclusion and government schemes. Conversely, however, digital labour markets have emerged as significant avenues for income generation for women, people with disabilities and migrant workers or refugees. However, only a few women in the Global South are able to benefit from these opportunities, and many have become part of the invisible workforce on online digital platforms. Moreover, the digital economy treats women – those working in digital labour platforms as well as location-based platforms – unfairly and provides them with scant benefits, even though their labour is substantial.

For this issue of Gender and Development, we want to do two things – explore the impact of the rapid digitisation of work, and identify solutions to make the digital economy more inclusive. We want to hear from women’s rights activists, community and grassroots leaders, civil society organisations and networks, feminist economists and researchers, academics, policy makers, and development and humanitarian practitioners from all generations, identities and backgrounds who are directly involved in challenging existing inequities.  

Interested in contributing to this issue?

For more information read our CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS: WOMEN, WORK AND THE DIGITAL ECONOMY 

Please read the Guidelines for contributors carefully before sending through your abstracts.. 

Send your ideas to genderanddevelopment.south [at] gmail.com before March 10, 2022. 

Please read and share the Call.