Abstract:

Introduction
The levels of development of the knowledge based services sector is emerging to be the key factors in determining the prosperity of any country. The present day is witnessing a rapid change from an industrial to a knowledge based global economy. In the knowledge era, ‘information technology’ serves an integrated factor of production. The Information and Communication Technologies have reduced the globe to a village. These technologies have created new opportunities for scientific progress, economic development, education and social change. The ICTS are a significant factor in performance and growth of economies and also help advance sustainable human development.

The IT sector has not only created a large number of jobs, but has also resulted in new types of challenging careers. In the IT sector emphasis is on intellectual rather than physical resources. As emphasis is on knowledge, the IT industry is considered to be non-discriminating. It is considered to be an equal opportunity employer for men and women, minorities and handicapped all alike.
Women constitute half of the resources of the nation. What is the position of women in newly emerging areas of information technology in India? What problems are faced by women regarding education in IT ? Is IT education available to all sections of Indian women or is it available to few sections of population? Is there a digital divide prevailing in Indian IT sector? What are the factors affecting participation of women in newly emerging areas of information technology? Are there any problems or discrimination involved regarding women?
It is seen that women are now occupying a prominent position in the IT labour force in India. The number of software professionals increased from 6800 in 1985 to 650,000 in 2003-2004 and further to 2.23 million in 2008 (Nasscom, 2008). In 1993, women comprised only 10% of IT workforce which increased to 21% in 2003, The participation of women is expected to go up to 35% in 2008. Women are employed in IT companies located mainly in cities as Bangalore, Poona, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Bombay. More women are employed in Southern regions of the country. They belong to the younger age group.
Various factors affect women’s participation in IT. These issues need to be discussed while discussing gender issues at work. Basic questions facing women are access to IT education, employment opportunities, location of employment, work structure of IT and skill upgradation. Women have double responsibility of market based work as well as home responsibilities.

Objective of Study
1. To find out factors affecting women’s access to ICT education in India
2. To find out factors affecting women’s participation in ICT employment in India

Methodology
The paper is based on secondary data. Based on secondary data by Nasscom and microlevel studies, the paper firstly examines factors affecting women and access to IT. The issues of 1. access to ICT education and 2. Access to job opportunities need to be analysed in detail.

Structure of Paper
Section 1 gives introduction, objective and methodology. Section 2 deals with literature survey. Section 3 deals with factors affecting women’s access to ICT education. Section 4 discusses women’s participation in ICT employment. Section 5 concludes the paper.

Keywords:

women, ICT, Access to ICT.