Women’s Internet Use Doubles in India: NFHS-6
New survey shows sharp gains in digital access, financial inclusion and women's empowerment
- Women using the internet nearly doubled to 64.3% in 2023-24
- 89% of women now have bank or savings accounts
- Personal mobile phone ownership among women rose to 63.6%
- NFHS-6 highlights progress in health, nutrition and empowerment indicators
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 30th May: Women’s access to the internet in India has nearly doubled over the past few years, rising from 33.3 per cent during 2019-21 to 64.3 per cent in 2023-24, according to the sixth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) released on Friday.
The findings point to a major expansion in digital accessibility and inclusion among women across the country.
The survey also recorded significant improvements in financial empowerment. The proportion of women with bank or savings accounts increased from 78.6 per cent in NFHS-5 (2019-21) to 89 per cent in NFHS-6 (2023-24). Ownership of personal mobile phones among women also rose from 53.9 per cent to 63.6 per cent during the same period.
The Union Health Ministry said the latest findings reflect continued progress in women’s digital inclusion and financial independence.
The survey also reported gains in menstrual hygiene practices. Among women aged 15-24 years, the use of hygienic methods of menstrual protection increased from 77.6 per cent in 2019-21 to 79.2 per cent in 2023-24.
According to the ministry, initiatives such as the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme under the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram and the availability of affordable sanitary products through the Janaushadhi network have contributed to greater awareness and adoption of safe menstrual hygiene practices.
The ministry noted that the survey findings indicate steady improvements in maternal and child health, nutrition, women’s empowerment and access to essential services.
At the same time, it cautioned that challenges remain, particularly the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, lifestyle-related health risks and the coexistence of undernutrition and rising obesity among adults.
The government said the findings reaffirm India’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and underline the importance of continued focus on preventive healthcare, behavioural change and balanced nutrition.
Conducted during 2023-24 by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, NFHS-6 covered nearly 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts. The survey was coordinated by the International Institute for Population Sciences and provides critical data on population, health, nutrition and family welfare indicators to support evidence-based policymaking and programme implementation across the country.
