E-Government and Women’s Rights: Using Technology to Enhance Legal Empowerment
TL;DR
It is argued that achieving digital legal empowerment for women extends far beyond merely providing access to technology, such as internet-enabled smartphones, and is a multifaceted social process that depends on comprehensive support.
Abstract
India’s digital governance has expanded rapidly over the past few years, making online administrative services widely accessible and fundamentally altering how citizens interact with public institutions. Historically, accessing government services required visiting physical offices, submitting paper documents, and enduring long queues. Today, the landscape has transformed: the government has developed official websites, launched mobile applications, and established online portals for submitting complaints. Furthermore, specialized digital services such as electronic certificates, e-Courts, and Tele-Law have been introduced. This study employs a descriptive and analytical research design utilizing two primary types of materials: secondary data compiled by the government and a quantitative analysis framework designed for illustrative purposes. This framework incorporates data concerning 250 women to support the study's broader analytical process. In addition to this usage gap, cross-sectional statistical data reveals a strong correlation: individuals with higher digital literacy are more likely to experience legal empowerment. Specifically, they feel more supported in legal matters and more capable of protecting their own rights and interests. Drawing on these findings, this chapter argues that achieving digital legal empowerment for women extends far beyond merely providing access to technology, such as internet-enabled smartphones. Instead, it is a multifaceted social process that depends on comprehensive support.