Gender Inequality in Internet Access During COVID-19 in South Asia: Evidence from Pakistan

Abstract

Advances in technology have introduced relentless competition and increasing demands to everyday life. These pressures particularly intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in countries where Internet access remains spotty. The right to Internet access ensures connectivity through broadband, and those without such access fall into the digital divide. South Asia, and Pakistan in particular, offers a striking case study of digital inequities, whose impact has been magnified by the global pandemic. Recent studies confirm a persistent gender digital divide in Pakistan and South Asia, where women are significantly less likely to own a mobile phone, access the Internet, or use digital services than men. Against this backdrop of a pronounced gender digital divide, this paper argues that the digital divide, particularly in the South Asian context, constitutes a violation of the fundamental right to Internet access. It seeks to substantiate this claim through an analysis of legal instruments and empirical data on exclusion. It explores the gendered dimensions of this divide in Pakistan, considers the relevant constitutional provisions, and analyzes its broader implications for national development within Pakistan, as well as for regional progress in South Asia. Building on this analysis, the paper concludes by formulating actionable legal and policy remedies, advocating for a multi-level approach that combines constitutional recognition, gender-inclusive governance, strategic partnerships, and targeted empowerment initiatives to bridge the digital gender divide in Pakistan and South Asia.