Women at the Digital Crossroads

Intersectionality, Vulnerability, and Technological Exclusion in Disadvantaged Sectors

Abstract

The gender digital divide transcends mere material access to devices, manifesting as exclusion from effective participation in digital environments, which particularly affects women from vulnerable sectors. This cross-sectional exploratory study with a quantitative approach, grounded in an intersectional perspective, analyzes this gap using a sample of 21 women from vulnerable neighborhoods, selected through purposive non-probability sampling. A structured questionnaire was administered in face-to-face interviews, and descriptive statistical analysis was performed. The findings reveal a significant age concentration among women over 45 (47.6%), severe educational exclusion (95.2% lack secondary education), and extreme job insecurity (85.7% of participants). Of particular relevance, all participants exhibit exclusive technological dependence on mobile phones with unstable connectivity and basic instrumental skills, resulting in critical digital competencies. The results are consistent with international literature on the persistence of the gender digital divide in vulnerable contexts, where digital exclusion is both a consequence and a perpetuating factor of broader educational, labor, and social marginalization. There is a predominance of superficial use of technologies without meaningful integration into educational, employment, or civic participation processes, perpetuating cycles of dependency, informational isolation, and generalized vulnerability. The findings underscore that digital exclusion is associated with multiple intersecting vulnerabilities that require specific interventions differentiated according to age cohorts, highlighting the need for comprehensive approaches that combine technological access, digital literacy, and gender-sensitive policies to break this vicious cycle.