Why are women not online? A study protocol to understand gender-based digital exclusion among marginalized women in Pakistan and promote digital gender inclusion

Anam Shahil-Feroz, Muhammad Asim, Sana Liaquat, Salima Meherali, Saleema Allana and Bipasha Baruah

PLOS ONE, 2026, vol. 21, issue 8, 1-12

Abstract: Background: Gender-based digital exclusion remains a major challenge in Pakistan, where women are significantly less likely than men to own mobile phones or access mobile internet. Barriers include family disapproval, sociocultural and religious restrictions, safety concerns, and patriarchal norms that limit women’s autonomy. Although government initiatives have expanded digital access and literacy, they largely focus on individual-level solutions and do not adequately address the social and structural factors shaping women’s digital exclusion. Goal and Objectives: This study aims to explore the sociocultural norms and practices influencing marginalized women’s access to and use of digital technologies in a low-income community on the outskirts of Karachi, Pakistan. Specifically, the study seeks to: (1) identify barriers and facilitators influencing women’s access to and use of digital technologies; (2) explore how women, family members, and community leaders perceive and influence women’s access to and use of digital technologies; and (3) co-design community-informed strategies to promote digital gender inclusion. Methods and Analysis: Guided by Technofeminism and community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles, this qualitative study will be conducted in Azam Basti, Karachi. The study comprises three phases: (1) establishment of a Community Advisory Committee to guide the research; (2) focus group discussions and in-depth individual interviews with marginalized women, family gatekeepers, and community leaders using photo-elicitation and role-playing methods to explore gendered norms and technology access; and (3) co-design workshops to develop community-informed solutions for reducing the digital gender gap. Data will be analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Discussion: This study will provide insights into how sociocultural norms and patriarchal structures shape women’s digital exclusion in Pakistan. By engaging family gatekeepers and community leaders, it moves beyond awareness-based approaches to co-develop sustainable strategies for digital inclusion. The research methods, process, and findings from this study will be valuable to researchers and policymakers seeking to address the digital gender gap by providing evidence to inform the development of contextually appropriate strategies for promoting digital inclusion among marginalized women.

Date: 2026
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DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0356104

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