The Digital Shift: Remote Work, Gender Inequalities, and the Transformation of Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic in India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18753/2297-8224-6988Keywords:
Covid-19, digital transformation, India, remotework/WFH, work-family conflict, gender, flexible workAbstract
The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread adoption of remote work, driven by lockdowns and social distancing. Digital technology played a crucial role in transitioning jobs from physical to virtual spaces. This study, based on an online survey, explores the transformation of work in India, focusing on gendered implications, work experiences, and work-family balance. Findings highlight the paradox of remote work—offering flexibility and autonomy while intensifying work-life tensions, especially for women, who juggled professional and domestic roles. Notably, men had dedicated workspaces, whereas women often worked in shared or less private areas, reinforcing existing gender inequalities. The study calls for structural interventions, including gender-sensitive workplace policies, equitable distribution of caregiving responsibilities, and improved digital access. While digital work offers new possibilities, it also risks deepening gender disparities unless labour policies and societal attitudes evolve to address these challenges.
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