Demographics
Age Structure
The distribution of age among respondents highlight a
diverse demographic. The largest age group is represented by the age category
of 35-45 years, making up 38.9% of the participants. This is followed by women
aged 25-35, who constitute 30.6% of the sample. Women aged 45-55 account for
13.9%, while both the youngest group (18-25 years) and the oldest group (55+
years) each make up 8.3% of the respondents. This distribution indicates a
broad spectrum of ages, potentially offering varied perspectives on how technology
influences different stages of life.
Place of Birth
The survey included a
heterogenous population of women from different places of birth all over the
country. Majority of these rural women are from rural
landless communities of Uttar Pradesh (27.8%), Delhi (19.4%) and Bihar (11.1%). Many respondents were
hiding to disclose their birth places as it carry social stigma of poor region
of India.
Primary Residence
A majority, 51.4%, reside in unplanned settlements,
highlighting the prevalence of informal housing lacking basic infrastructure
and services. Resettlement colonies and villages each account for 20% of the
respondents, indicating a significant portion lives in more structured, albeit
still challenging, environments. A smaller group, 5.7%, lives in temporary slum clusters, and
2.9% reside in squatter settlements, both of which are typically characterized
by extreme poverty, pathetic living
condition and
instability of stay.
Living in unplanned and squatter settlements of temporary structure of approximately 10
feet by 10 feet hutments often means dealing with inadequate
access to utilities such as electricity, water, and sanitation, which makes
technology’s enhancement of their incomes all the more necessary and impactful on their lives. These environments
may also be prone to evictions and lack legal protections, adding to the
residents' vulnerability. Understanding the distribution of primary residences
is crucial to analyzing technological solutions that cater to the specific
challenges faced by women in these diverse living conditions, ultimately
helping to improve their quality of life and socio-economic opportunities.
A significant 58.3% of the women live in rented houses without any documentation while 38.9% of the
respondents own their homes. For the majority who rent, the financial pressure
of regular rent payments and potential instability due to the risk of eviction
or rent increases underscores the significant financial challenges these women
face.
Marital Status
A substantial majority of responding women, 63.9% are married,
data from whom will be telling of technology’s impacts on their family’s lives.
The 11.1% of unmarried women represent a smaller segment, potentially
highlighting different social and economic challenges they face independently.
Meanwhile, the 25% of widowed respondents suggest a considerable portion of the
sample may be dealing with additional burdens of financial and social support
in the absence of a spouse. This varied marital status distribution suggests
that technology's impact may differ greatly based on familial and social
contexts, influencing the study's results on how technology aids these women in
their daily lives.
The distribution of ages at which respondents were
married provides important context for understanding the impact of technology
on their lives. A significant 45.2% of women were married between the ages of
14 and 18, indicating early marriage is prevalent among this demographic structure. This is followed by
32.3% who were married between 18 and 22, suggesting that a substantial portion
still married relatively younger. A smaller group,
12.9%, married even earlier, between 10 and 14 years old. Only 9.7% of
respondents were married at age 22 or older.
Early marriage often results in limited educational
attainment, as young girls are typically withdrawn from school to assume domestic
responsibilities. This interruption of gender specific girl child school dropout in
education can lead to reduced literacy rates and fewer employment
opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and dependency. Furthermore,
early marriage often brings early motherhood, which can pose health risks for
both the mother and child, and increase the financial burden of childcare at a
young age. This distribution highlights the likelihood of early marriage
influencing educational and career opportunities, which could, in turn, impact
how these women utilize and benefit from technology.
Number of Children
With 33.3% of the women having three children and
19.4% having four or more, a substantial portion of the respondents are
managing large families. This high number of dependents can strain financial
resources, particularly in low-income settings like slums. The 22.2% of women
with one child and 13.9% with two children still experience financial
pressures, though likely to a lesser extent. Meanwhile, 11.1% of women with no
children might face fewer immediate financial responsibilities. Women with
larger families often encounter higher expenses related to food, clothing,
education, and healthcare for their children. With such financial demands, the
role of technology in enhancing these women’s income and bringing material
change to their lives proves all the more important.
Other Relevant information from the
participants
Literacy Status
The literacy distribution among respondents in the
study underscores significant educational disparities that influence the impact
of technology in their lives. A substantial 34.2% of the women are illiterate,
representing a major barrier to accessing and benefiting from technology. Those
with education up to the 5th grade constitute 31.6%, indicating that nearly
two-thirds of the respondents have very basic or no literacy skills. Only 13.2%
have studied up to the 8th grade, and 7.9% up to the metric level (10th grade).
A mere 2.6% have completed 12th standard, while 10.5% have pursued education up
to the postgraduate level.
The high rates of illiteracy and low educational
attainment suggest that many women in this demographic composition may struggle with
using technology effectively, as digital literacy often requires a basic level
of reading and comprehension skills. This educational gap can limit their
ability to leverage technology for personal, educational, or economic
development, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. For those with minimal
education, technology that includes user-friendly interfaces, visual aids, and
vernacular language options could be more accessible and useful.
Time of Smartphone Procurement
The distribution of when respondents acquired their
smartphones highlights varying levels of familiarity and experience with
technology. A significant portion, 33.3%, obtained their smartphones 4-6 years
ago, indicating a moderate level of experience and adaptation to digital tools.
This is followed by 27.8% who acquired their devices 2-4 years ago, suggesting
they are relatively new to the smartphone landscape but likely comfortable with
basic functions and apps.
Interestingly, 13.9% of respondents got their
smartphones less than 2 years ago, pointing to a growing trend of recent
adoption, possibly driven by increased affordability or the recognition of the
benefits of connectivity. Another 13.9% have had their devices for 6-8 years,
reflecting a long-term engagement with technology, while 8.3% have been using
smartphones for 8-10 years. Only 2.8% have had their smartphones for over 10
years, representing early adopters who might have a significant depth of
experience. This distribution suggests that while many women have had
smartphones long enough to integrate them into their daily lives, there is
still a substantial portion relatively new to these devices.
Procuring A Smartphones and Its Economic Corelates
A significant 61.11% of respondents reported that
smartphones primarily increased connectivity, highlighting the device's role in
facilitating communication and networking opportunities. For 22.22%,
smartphones enabled receiving online payments, streamlining financial
transactions and potentially expanding income-generating capabilities.
Additionally, 19.44% mentioned that smartphones increased awareness of job
opportunities, underscoring their role in accessing employment information and
job market dynamics. A smaller percentage, 2.78%, noted that smartphones
enhanced awareness of competitive rates for work, suggesting a niche but
impactful benefit in optimizing income generation. However, a notable 25% of
respondents indicated that smartphones did not enhance their income. This could
stem from various factors such as limited access to digital platforms for
income-generating activities, inadequate digital skills to leverage smartphone
capabilities effectively, or economic barriers that restrict the full potential
of smartphone use for income enhancement.
Social Security Owing To Use Of Mobile
Phone
The role of smartphones in enhancing women's social
security reveals significant reliance on connectivity for various support
networks. An overwhelming 88.89% of respondents highlighted smartphones' role
in rapidly connecting them with family members, underscoring the device's
crucial role in maintaining familial support and safety networks. Additionally,
52.78% mentioned using smartphones for quick connectivity with employers,
suggesting its utility in professional communications and job security. For
38.89% of respondents, smartphones facilitated rapid communication with
friends, social workers, and other support networks, enhancing their social
safety net beyond immediate family.
However, only a small percentage, 2.78%, mentioned
using smartphones for connectivity with police or security apps, indicating a
less prominent role in direct security enhancement through law enforcement
channels. These findings highlight smartphones' pivotal role in enhancing
social security through improved communication and access to support networks.
Initiatives that promote digital literacy and awareness of safety apps could
further empower women to leverage smartphones for enhanced personal security.
Enhancing Social
Awareness
Majority
of respondents agreed that they have an increased social awareness due to being
active on various social media apps including Facebook and Instagram. Around
44% users said that they were dependent on SMS for any updates. 22.22%
respondents used the search engine to browse information and 11.11% browsed the
mobile news. This data shoes that social media platforms remain a popular
choice among women of slum areas.
Ownership/Usage of Social Media Accounts
A substantial 69.44% reported using YouTube,
indicating a prevalent interest in video content consumption, educational
resources, and entertainment. Facebook follows with 30.56%, serving as a
popular platform for social networking and community engagement. WhatsApp, used
by 13.89% of respondents, plays a crucial role in instant messaging and group
communication, facilitating both personal and professional interactions.
Instagram, with 16.67%, is utilized for sharing photos and videos, reflecting a
growing trend in visual storytelling and personal expression. In contrast,
LinkedIn, at 2.78%, caters more to professional networking and career
development. Interestingly, 13.89% reported not using any of these apps, potentially
indicating limited access to or interest in digital platforms, or preferences
for other forms of communication and information consumption.
Material Empowerment of Women
Due To The Usage Of Mobile Technology
The material changes in women's lives resulting from
enhanced income through smartphones highlight varied priorities and
improvements in household welfare. A significant 38.89% reported using
increased income to support their children's education, emphasizing the
importance placed on educational opportunities as a pathway to future stability
and success. Nearly as many, 36.11%, used the additional income to purchase
household necessities, underscoring the immediate impact on improving living
conditions and basic amenities. A smaller yet notable 11.11% indicated renting
a better home, suggesting a desire for improved living standards and stability.
Similarly, another 11.11% purchased a two-wheeler, potentially enhancing
mobility and access to economic opportunities such as commuting to work or
expanding business activities. These changes reflect how smartphones empower
women economically, enabling them to make meaningful investments in education,
household welfare, and mobility. Such financial improvements not only enhance
immediate living conditions but also contribute to long-term socio-economic
mobility and empowerment.
Use of Mobile Phone Correlated With Health
Benefits
The role of smartphones in ensuring better health
conditions for their families is significant, with various ways these devices
contribute to healthcare access and awareness. A substantial 44.44% of
respondents reported that smartphones helped them find and access government
medical facilities, highlighting their role in facilitating access to essential
healthcare services. Additionally, 16.67% used smartphones to locate and access
medical facilities in private hospitals, indicating a broader spectrum of
healthcare options available through digital means. In cases of emergencies,
36.11% utilized smartphones to quickly contact medical facilities, underscoring
their critical role in timely medical intervention. For ongoing healthcare
management, 8.33% stayed connected with medical practitioners through digital
communication platforms, enhancing continuity of care and access to medical
advice.
Furthermore, 13.89% mentioned
that smartphones raised awareness of health issues, suggesting their role in
disseminating health-related information and promoting preventive care
practices. However, 19.44% reported no change in their healthcare practices due
to smartphone use, which may reflect challenges in accessing or utilizing
digital health resources effectively. These findings highlight smartphones'
potential to improve healthcare access, information dissemination, and
emergency response capabilities among women in under served communities.
