Gendered Dimensions of Digital Inequality in Türkiye

In recent years, the rapid digitalization of societies has brought new opportunities for the social and economic participation of many marginalized groups; however, it has also highlighted persistent inequalities in Türkiye. One significant aspect of this digital inequality is the gender gap, which is deeply intertwined with the social and cultural fabric of Turkish society. This study* explores the extent to which Turkish women experience digital inequality and how this inequality is perceived and reflected upon by them. In this study, we employed a mixed-methods approach: a quantitative survey with a nationwide representative sample (n=2389), alongside semi-structured qualitative interviews (n=51) conducted in three major cities—İstanbul, Ankara, and İzmir. The quantitative analysis reveals that women are more likely than men to experience digital inequality, both in terms of access to digital technologies and in developing new digital skills. The qualitative analysis delves into the reasons behind this disparity, showing that conventional gender norms, which are deeply rooted in Turkish culture, play a significant role. In addition to the socio-economic disadvantages associated with being a woman, “gender role socialization” and the “internalization of these roles by women” emerge as prominent factors contributing to the inequality between men and women, since digital skills are mainly attributed to men. In essence, gender-based digital inequality is not solely the result of technological barriers but is deeply embedded in societal gender norms. Addressing digital inequality, therefore, requires not only improving access to technology but also challenging and transforming the entrenched gender norms that limit women's participation in the digital sphere.

*This paper is reproduced from the project titled “Digital Inequalities and Technostress in Türkiye: Understanding the Socio-Demographic Factors”, funded by the Scientific and Technological Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK), Project No: 122K021