A Study on Impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on Empowerment of Rural Women Entrepreneurs in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Purpose: This study looks at how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) empowers such rural women entrepreneurs in Tamil Nadu and looks at the links between access and use of ICT and different aspects of women empowerment.
Methodology: This research uses a mixed method where qualitative and quantitative data are obtained in structured surveys and in-depth interviews by 300 women entrepreneurs in rural areas of five districts of Tamil Nadu through stratified random sampling. Data is analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) of SPSS.
Results: The observations in statistical analysis show a strong positive interrelation between ICT access and dimensions of women empowerment. The most important discoveries comprise 92 percent mobile phone possession, 78 percent access to internet, 54 percent more monthly income after the usage of ICT and 68 percent more skills in the ability to make decisions. The SEM test further proves the existence of significant direct impacts of ICT access on economic empowerment (0.55, p < 0.001) and social empowerment (0.42, p < 0.01).
Conclusions: ICT can be used as an empowering mechanism of rural women in Tamil Nadu, particularly visceralizing the women economically independent, socially empowered and entrepreneurial. Nonetheless, the problems in digital infrastructure and literacy are present.
Future Research Directions: Longitudinal research that aims at gauging the long-term effects should be conducted further, and policy research should aim at creating sustainable development of ICT infrastructure and culturally-relevant digital literacy applications.