International Research Journal of Education and Technology

Information and communication technology use and access have an impact on both the individual and the community. Public safety, education, healthcare, civic engagement, workforce development, and the economy all benefit from having a digitally inclusive community. Through increased efficiency, new business prospects, and improved access to international value chains and marketplaces, digital entrepreneurship has the potential to significantly contribute to women's inclusion in the digital economy. However, compared to men, women entrepreneurs are far underrepresented in the digital economy, particularly in emerging markets. Government and non-government organizations are implementing measures to empower women in rural, tribal, marginalized, and unreached areas to reduce the digital divide and give access to information and digital services. The present study aims to examine the digital inclusion of rural women entrepreneurs in Kerala. The study analyzes the usage of digital platforms by rural women entrepreneurs and the benefits they acquired after the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected from a sample of 264 rural women entrepreneurs. Statistical analyses were conducted using weighted averages, measures of dispersion, one-way ANOVA. The study revealed that the digital knowledge and digital skills of rural women entrepreneurs were enhanced. It found that there is an association between the reasons stated by the women entrepreneurs for attending digital inclusion programs and their perceptions of the application of digital technologies. Lack of infrastructure is the main hurdle confronted by women entrepreneurs in rural areas.

Keywords: digital inclusion, digital knowledge, digital skills, e commerce, rural women entrepreneurs