Barriers and Building Capabilities: Gendered Challenges in India's ITI Digital Programs

Abstract In an era dominated by digital transformation, India's gender digital divide perpetuates profound inequalities, particularly for marginalized women, hindering economic empowerment and social mobility. This study examines the underrepresentation of women in Industrial Training Institutes' (ITIs) Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA) program-a key NSQF-aligned vocational pathway to digital skills through the lenses of Amartya Sen's Capability Approach, Kimberlé Crenshaw's intersectionality, and Naila Kabeer's resources-agency-achievements model. Employing a systematic literature review and secondary data synthesis from peer-reviewed sources, government reports, and policy documents (2015–2025), the analysis aggregates quantitative metrics (e.g., 12–15% female enrollment, 23–28% dropout rates) with qualitative insights into structural, institutional, and socio-cultural barriers, such as inadequate outreach, unsafe infrastructure, patriarchal norms, and intersectional vulnerabilities (e.g., caste-rural overlaps). Findings reveal a philosophical dissonance: nominal access yields illusory inclusion, truncating women's substantive freedoms and agency. Comparative policy insights from Canada's Digital Literacy Exchange and Latin American bootcamps highlight scalable interventions like gender-responsive hostels, flexible scheduling, and mentorship. Recommendations advocate revitalizing ITIs with women-centric reforms - childcare hubs, adaptive curricula, and targeted placements-to forge inclusive skilling ecosystems. By bridging scholarly silences on intersectional voids, this synthesis charts pathways for equitable digital empowerment, potentially unlocking 15–20% productivity gains and affirming women's valences of flourishing in an AI-driven economy. Keywords: Gender digital divide Vocational skilling; Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs); Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA); Capability Approach; Intersectionality; Women's empowerment; Digital literacy; AI-driven economy