Female Internet users in India are only 29%: UNICEF

     Written by : SMTV24x7 | Tue, Dec 12, 2017, 05:21 PM

Female Internet users in India are only 29%: UNICEF

New Delhi, Dec 11: Do you believe that more women use the internet in India but it is false.The Internet usage in India is still a "male preserve", with only 29 percent of online users being females, thus underlining a "digital gender gap", says a study by the United Nations.

According to the report titled 'State of the World's Children 2017: Children in a digital world' unveiled by the Unicef on Tuesday, girls in rural areas often face restrictions while using the Information and Communications Technology, solely because of their gender.

"Globally, 12 percent more men than women used the Internet in 2017. In India, less than one-third of Internet users are females," the study said.

"There are potentially serious consequences for girls excluded from the digital age," it noted.



The digital gender gap also leads to the inability to access online services and information on issues related to women health or further their education and skills that could help them participate in the global economy.

"Girls and boys in India have the unique opportunity to benefit from the connectivity that the digital world can provide. India is famous as an IT hub and no matter where they live, every girl or boy should have a digital advantage," said Unicef representative in India, Yasmin Ali Haque, at the launch of the report here.