Role of Technology & Entrepreneurship in

Strengthening Gender Equality

Bikash SahooFounder

Economically empowered women have higher chances of improved lifestyle not limiting to education for their children compared to men and is considered one of the best indicators of whether her children will complete their education and enjoy healthy, poverty-free adulthoods

1Women’s economic advancement also promotes overall economic growth. Studies by ICRW from countries like Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Kenya demonstrate that increasing women’s control over household inputs and farm income could boost farm yields by up to 20 percent

2A study by International Labour Organization reveals that women who represent 50 percent of the world adult population, and one third of the official labour force, and perform nearly 2/3rd of the working hours receive only one tenth of the world's income and own less than one percent of the world property

3Fact File - Why it Matters ? Strengthening Gender Equality

Fact File - Where do we stand ?

Strengthening Gender Equality

Top 5 Countries INDIA

GII: 127 HDI: 135

Female Education26.6%

Not So Surprising Facts

● Worst in South Asia except Afghanistan

● Among worst in the world : UN

● Indian laws reinforce gender inequality: UN

● 29% women are part of India’s labour force compared to 80.7% men

Gender Inequality Index Vs Human Development Index

Country GII HDI Female education 25+

Norway 9 1 97.4%

Australia 19 2 94.3%

Switzerland 2 3 95.0%

Germany 3 6 96.3%

Slovenia 1 25 95.8%

Fact File - Some more Surprises ? Strengthening Gender Equality

Somewhere in India

● Goa polygamy law which actually permits a second marriage for the husband when there is no son from the first marriage

● Laws in some states which do not allow daughters and widows to inherit land

● Our Cultural ideology. Sons are traditionally viewed as the breadwinners who will carry on the family name and perform the last rites of the parents - an important ritual in many faiths.

Gender Inequality : Hits us Hard ? Strengthening Gender Equality

● Unequal wages● Undignified treatment● Sexual harassment :

○ Every 42 minutes a sexual harassment occurring○ Every 43 minutes a woman kidnapped ○ Every 93 minutes a woman is burnt for dowry○ Every 26 minutes a woman is molested ○ Every 34 minutes a rape take place

● Poor health care , lack of education● Discriminative socialization process● Economic constraints ● Detrimental cultural practices

Terminology source : http://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jhss/papers/Vol13-issue3/G01334850.pdf?id=2285

section : “facets of inequality”

A GIANT TUG - Is this the India we envision ?

Technology and Women empowerment ? Strengthening Gender Equality

WHY ICT ? 5 quick reasons ! Strengthening Gender Equality

Using ICT to address Barriers Strengthening Gender Equality

JUMPING BARRIERS - USE OF ICT

● Locational Restrictions● Literacy Technology

○ Search○ Translation - Voice to Text & vice-versa

● Security Woes● Opportunities

○ E-Shop○ Education○ Health

What stops women ? Strengthening Gender Equality

What stops women from ICT ?

1. Cultural peek a. Promiscuity associatedb. Male interactions associatedc. Traveld. Affordability

ANSWER : SHGs - SEWA & Others

What stops women ? Strengthening Gender Equality

What stops women from ICT ?

2. Technical Literacy a. Late startb. Non-priorityc. Support parameters

ANSWER: Awareness & Training programmes

What stops women ? Strengthening Gender Equality

What stops women from ICT ?

3. Availability & Affordability● Lack of confidence● Language barrier● Cost● Lack of Freedom

ANSWER: Women centric government/social ventures

Technology & Entrepreneurship Strengthening Gender Equality

Technology & Entrepreneurship

YOUr Role Strengthening Gender Equality

Some role models Strengthening Gender Equality

Sanitary napkin, an essential personal hygiene product, has very low penetration in India due to it’s high price. The survey showed that 81% of rural women use unsterilized cloth since it is relatively cheaper than sanitary napkins

Muruganatham (47) has developed an assembly of low cost, portable machines that produce quality sanitary napkins at a cost of Rs. 1 to Rs. 1.50 per pad approximately

Some role models Strengthening Gender Equality

Effort to curb female foeticides-Active Tracker System on Sirsa Ultrasound Machines is Active

Jan 13th , SIRSA News

We definitely keep gender diversity in mind, while ensuring that we hire the best people," said Deepinder Goyal, cofounder of restaurant listing service Zomato where women make up 48 % of the 800-strong workforce

Economic Times 6th Nov

Hiring Women ! Strengthening Gender Equality

Entrepreneurship & Women Strengthening Gender Equality

Lets set ground rules - U n Me Strengthening Gender Equality

U n Me Strengthening Gender Equality

U n Me Strengthening Gender Equality

U n Me Strengthening Gender Equality