India

Education differentials

 

Indian women have a lower literacy rate than men and only 30.4 percent of women in tertiary schools are studying natural sciences.

 

â–º51.4 % female adult literacy

â–º74.5% male literacy rate

â–º48.0% of girls are enrolled in secondary school.
â–º36 % of tertiary students are female

â–º30.4 % of female tertiary students are studying natural sciences*

â–º19 % female teaching staff at tertiary level

â–º23% of Indias Internet users are women

*Includes computer science, engineering, mathematics, architecture, town planning, transportation, and communications) Sources: UNESCO Statistical Yearbook 1999; UNDP Human Development Report 1999.

Government policy on ICTs

India has incorporated measures to increase the number of trained professionals and encourage the growth of the ICT sector in the country. A National Task Force was set up in 1998 to look after growth in ICTs and the software development industry. The Information Technology Bill 2000, based on the recommendations of the Task Force, emphasized the implementation of a legislative mechanism for extended ICT applications. It was expected to act as a catalyst for promoting ICTs throughout the country. The Information Technology Act 2000 focused on planning the whole ICT sector. For employment opportunities in the sector, accessibility is a major problem that needs to be addressed. To that end a Working Group on ICTs for the Masses was created in May 2000. The recommendations of this group were related to access, education, and increasing awareness about the advantages and uses of ICTs. Although these will be useful for women after implementation, no specific agenda for access and skill development for women was included.

Some of the state governments such as Andhra Pradesh have started developing their own ICT infrastructure and pool of skilled professionals. According to the Ministry of Information Technology, the central and state governments have initiated steps to promote computer use in disadvantaged areas, for example setting up information kiosks with computers run by local entrepreneurs in rural areas. Some other states such as Uttar Pradesh are also taking interest in the sector.

In 1988, the central government also established a World Market Policy focusing on software development for export, change (reform) in the telecommunications policy, privatization in the telecommunication and mobile phone sector, and a more comprehensive approach toward ICTs. The government also introduced the Software Technology Parks (STP) of India scheme.

Government policy on gender

The Indian government has taken certain steps to promote women's status and overcome the problems they face in society. The education ministry has both formal and informal education programs for girls, the latter in collaboration with NGOs. The Department of Women and Child Development formulates strategies, policies, and programs, enacts or amends legislation, and guides and supports work done by other government or nongovernmental bodies for improving the status of women and children. The department has initiated training programs for employment, awareness building, and gender sensitization. It has also established hostels for working women. The impact of such initiatives is not known because of the lack of documentation.

An important education policy from a women's perspective has been instituted in the state of Andhra Pradesh where one-third of all places in institutes for higher education are reserved for women. It is possible that such a policy may increase the number of women who opt to study ICTs and related fields at higher levels of education.

Conclusions

ICT policies have focused on the growth of the software sector and have only recently begun to emphasize the role of ICT applications in making the industry more competitive and government more efficient in its service delivery. The telecommunications sector was deregulated in 1994. Increasing competition from several private operators has increased telecommunications penetration in urban areas and lowered the prices. Rural areas are yet to benefit from this change. Internet penetration is still very low and confined to urban areas. There is no mention of gender concern in policy documents. Women's employment in ICT-enabled services is significant at 37 percent.

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