New Delhi date. 16 December 2020, Wednesday
A survey conducted amid the discussions of Digital India found that 60% of women in the country’s 12 states and union territories have never used the internet in their lives. The figures come from the National Family Health Survey. The survey was conducted in approximately 22 states and Union Territories nationwide.
Among the states where less than 40% of women have used the Internet, we find Andhra 21, Assam 28.2, Bihar 20.6, Gujarat 30.8, Karnataka 35, Maharashtra 38, Meghalaya 34.7, Telangana 26.5, Tripura 22.9, West Bengal 25.5, Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Diu and Daman. 36.7, Andaman Nicobar has 34.8% of women who have used the Internet.
The Internet is used more by men than by women. In seven states, 50% of men have used the Internet, including 48.8% in Andhra Pradesh, 42.3% in Assam, 43.6% in Bihar, 42.1% in Meghalaya, 45.7 % in Tripura, 46.7% in West Bengal and 46.5% in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Another shocking revelation from the investigation is child marriage or underage marriage. According to the survey, 40% of women in Bihar, West Bengal and Tripura had to get married before the age of 18. These figures can also be found in the National Family Health Survey. The Women’s Marriage Survey was conducted in 22 states and union territories.