Livelihood and Digital Dejection for Rural Working Women (RWW): Evidence from Darbhanga
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25175/jrd/2025/v44/i4/173564Keywords:
rural, digitalisation, marginalisation, working women, livelihoodAbstract
This study explores the challenges faced by rural working women (RWW) in the wake of digitalization, particularly its impact on their economic activities. It examines how digitalized consumer behavior disrupts traditional business practices, leading to distress among women whose livelihoods depend on roadside vending, small shops, and traditional selling methods. Using a simple random sampling method, data were collected from 150 RWW through a semi-structured questionnaire. Ordered logistic regression has been applied to the data analysis. The findings reveal a rapid transformation in rural markets, transitioning from local and roadside vending to hybrid digital platforms; women are significantly impacted due to challenges faced in their extensive involvement in the production-to-sales cycle like insufficient funds to purchase digital devices, internet access, digital infrastructure, lack of training centers, and location of their sale. Additionally, digitalization marginalizes their economic participation, primarily due to limited digital literacy, security concerns, and restricted access to digital devices.
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