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Empowering Women in the Digital Age: A Narrative Review of Technological Opportunities and Barriers

Year 2025, Issue: 26, 751 - 761, 31.08.2025
https://doi.org/10.38079/igusabder.1629806

Abstract

Digitalization profoundly impacts women's lifestyles, presenting both opportunities and challenges. While access to online platforms empowers women with knowledge, education, and economic opportunities, the digital divide deepens existing inequalities and limits the participation of women in disadvantaged communities in the digital economy. Furthermore, issues such as cyberbullying and gender-based violence online negatively affect women's participation in digital spaces. Digital technologies also play an important role in healthcare, and artificial intelligence applications have the potential to improve women's health outcomes and reduce health inequalities. Digitalization in occupational therapy practice focuses on providing opportunities and proactive solutions to better meet women's health needs, and digital applications for women's health are increasing access to information on menstrual and reproductive health. However, there is a need for standardized guidelines for reliability and effectiveness.

References

  • 1. Khaliqi H, Qaderi K, Akrami S, Akrami K, Quraishi T. Breaking barriers: Women’s empowerment through online education platforms. Room of Civil Society Development. 2024;3(2):43-58. doi: 10.59110/rcsd.325.
  • 2. Perifanou MA. Economides A. Gender digital divide in Europe. International Journal of Business, Humanities and Technology. 2020;10(4). doi: 10.30845/ijbht.v10n4p2.
  • 3. Hayes SW, Priestley JL, Moore BA, Ray HE. Perceived stress, work-related burnout, and working from home before and during COVID-19: An examination of workers in the United States. Sage Open. 2021;11(4). doi: 10.1177/21582440211058193
  • 4. Alotaibi A, Aldossry T. Work-life balance of working mothers in the healthcare industry in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. J Soc Serv Res. 2024;50(1):14-24.
  • 5. Riyono B, Rezki G. Burnout among working mothers: The role of work-life balance and perceived organizational support. Humanitas: Indonesian Psychological Journal. 2022:109-121. doi: 10.26555/humanitas.v19i2.31.
  • 6. Begum V, Anwer Arshi T, Said Arman A, Saleem Butt A, Latheef S. A study on work-family life imbalance among women administrators in UAE higher education institutions. Heliyon. 2024;10(6):e28286. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28286.
  • 7. Hu Y, Qian Y. Gendering digital labor: Work and family digital communication across 29 countries. Community Work Fam. 2024;27(5):588-611.
  • 8. Chung H, Booker C. Flexible working and the division of housework and childcare: examining divisions across arrangement and occupational lines. Work, Employment and Society. 2023;37(1):236-256. doi: 10.1177/09500170221096586.
  • 9. Sarışın M. Toplumsal cinsiyete dayalı şiddetin yeni yüzü dijital şiddete ilişkin bir değerlendirme. KADEM Kadın Araştırmaları Dergisi. 2022;8(2):257-85.
  • 10. Kim HK. The Effects of Artificial intelligence chatbots on women’s health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Healthcare. 2024;12(5):534.
  • 11. Gbagbo FY, Ameyaw EK, Yaya S. Artificial intelligence and sexual reproductive health and rights: A technological leap towards achieving sustainable development goal target 3.7. Reproductive Health. 2024;21(1). doi: 10.1186/s12978-024-01924-9.
  • 12. Poudel K, Poudel L, Shakya PR, Poudel A, Shrestha A, Khanal B. AI-assisted cervical cancer screening. arXiv preprint arXiv:2403.11936. http://arxiv.org/abs/2403.11936.
  • 13. Fischl C, Blusi M, Lindgren H, Nilsson I. Tailoring to support digital technology-mediated occupational engagement for older adults – a multiple case study. Scand J Occup Ther. 2020;27(8):577-590. doi: 10.1080/11038128.2020.1760347.
  • 14. Larsson-Lund M, Nyman A. Occupational challenges in a digital society: A discussion inspiring occupational therapy to cross thresholds and embrace possibilities. Scand J Occup Ther. 2020;27(8):550-553. doi: 10.1080/11038128.2018.1523457.
  • 15. Margot-Cattin I, Deblock-Bellamy A, Wassmer J, Ledgerd R, von Zweck C, World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). Worldwide survey on digital assistive technology (DAT) provision. Occup Ther Int. 2024;2024(1). doi: 10.1155/2024/9536020.
  • 16. Ajayi KV, Wachira E, Onyeaka HK, Montour T, Olowolaju S, Garney W. The use of digital health tools for health promotion among women with and without chronic diseases: Insights from the 2017-2020 health information national trends survey. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2022;10(8):e39520. doi: 10.2196/39520.
  • 17. Corey L, Vezina A, Gala RB. Using technology to improve women’s health care. Ochsner Journal. 2020;20(4):422-425. doi: 10.31486/toj.19.0113.
  • 18. Karim JL, Wan R, Tabet RS, Chiu DS, Talhouk A. Person-generated health data in women’s health: Scoping review. J Med Internet Res. 2024;26:e53327. doi: 10.2196/53327.
  • 19. Lyons KD, Wechsler SB, Ejem DB, et al. Telephone-based rehabilitation intervention to optimize activity participation after breast cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(3):e242478.
  • 20. Akechi T, Yamaguchi T, Uchida M, et al. Smartphone psychotherapy reduces fear of cancer recurrence among breast cancer survivors: A fully decentralized randomized controlled clinical trial (J-SUPPORT 1703 Study). J Clin Oncol. 2022;41:1069-1078.
  • 21. Imai F, Momino K, Katsuki F, et al. Smartphone problem-solving therapy to reduce fear of cancer recurrence among breast cancer survivors: An open single-arm pilot study. Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2019;49(6):537-544. doi: 10.1093/jjco/hyz005.
  • 22. Michie L, Cameron ST. Simplified follow-up after early medical abortion: 12-month experience of a telephone call and self-performed low-sensitivity urine pregnancy test. Contraception. 2014;89(5):440-445. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2014.01.010.
  • 23. Platais I, Tsereteli T, Comendant R, Kurbanbekova D, Winikoff B. Acceptability and feasibility of phone follow-up with a semiquantitative urine pregnancy test after medical abortion in Moldova and Uzbekistan. Contraception. 2015;91(2):178-183.
  • 24. Cunningham AC, Prentice C, Peven K, et al. efficacy of the flo app in improving health literacy, menstrual and general health, and well-being in women: Pilot randomized controlled trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2024;12:e54124. doi: 10.2196/54124.
  • 25. Ko S, Lee J, An D, Woo H. Menstrual tracking mobile app review by consumers and health care providers: quality evaluations study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2023;11:e40921.
  • 26. Broad A, Biswakarma R, Harper JC. A survey of women’s experiences of using period tracker applications: Attitudes, ovulation prediction and how the accuracy of the app in predicting period start dates affects their feelings and behaviours. Women’s Health. 2022;18. doi: 10.1177/17455057221095246.
  • 27. Bracken H, Lohr PA, Taylor J, Morroni C, Winikoff B. RU OK? The acceptability and feasibility of remote technologies for follow-up after early medical abortion. Contraception. 2014;90(1):29-35. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2014.03.016.
  • 28. Ehrenreich K, Kaller S, Raifman S, Grossman D. Women’s experiences using telemedicine to attend abortion information visits in Utah: A qualitative study. Women’s Health Issues. 2019;29(5):407-413. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2019.04.009.
  • 29. Constant D, De Tolly K, Harries J, Myer L. Mobile phone messages to provide support to women during the home phase of medical abortion in South Africa: A randomised controlled trial. Contraception. 2014;90(3):226-233.
  • 30. Oskotsky TT, Yin O, Khan U, Arnaout L, Sirota M. Data-driven insights can transform women’s reproductive health. NPJ Women’s Health. 2024;2(1).
  • 31. Moulaei K, Moulaei R, Bahaadinbeigy K. Barriers and facilitators of using health information technologies by women: A scoping review. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2023;23(1). doi: 10.1186/s12911-023-02280-7.
  • 32. Lupton D, Maslen S. How women use digital technologies for health: Qualitative interview and focus group study. J Med Internet Res. 2019;21(1). doi: 10.2196/11481.
  • 33. Emezue C, Chase JD, Udmuangpia T, Bloom TL. Technology‐based and digital interventions for intimate partner violence: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Campbell Systematic Reviews. 2022;18(3). doi: 10.1002/cl2.1271.
  • 34. Ashwini K, Perla SN. An Integrated Mobile Applications for Enhancing Women’s Safety – A Comprehensive Approach. In: 2024 IEEE International Conference for Women in Innovation, Technology & Entrepreneurship (ICWITE). IEEE; 2024:223-228.
  • 35. Mauricio D, Zeña A, Avila U, Castañeda P, García L, Maculan N. AyudaMujer: A mobile application for the treatment of violence against women in Peru. J Technol Hum Serv. 2024;42(2):85-103. doi: 10.1080/15228835.2024.2343694.
  • 36. Ye R, Cai X. Digital transformation, gender discrimination, and female employment. Systems. 2024;12(5). doi: 10.3390/systems12050162.
  • 37. Bheemeshwar Reddy A, Jose S, Vaidehi R. Of access and inclusivity digital divide in online education. Econ Polit Wkly. 2021;55(36):23-26.
  • 38. Tricco AC, Parker A, Khan PA, et al. Interventions on gender equity in the workplace: A scoping review. BMC Med. 2024;22(1):1-12.
  • 39. Quesenberry JL, Trauth EM. The (dis)placement of women in the IT workforce: An investigation of individual career values and organisational interventions. Information Systems Journal. 2012;22(6):457-473. doi: 10.1111/J.1365-2575.2012.00416.X.
  • 40. Guthridge M, Kirkman M, Penovic T, Giummarra MJ. Promoting gender equality: A systematic review of interventions. Soc Justice Res. 2022;35(3):318-343.

Dijital Çağda Kadınların Güçlendirilmesi: Teknolojik Fırsatlar ve Engellerin Anlatısal Derlemesi

Year 2025, Issue: 26, 751 - 761, 31.08.2025
https://doi.org/10.38079/igusabder.1629806

Abstract

Dijitalleşme, kadınların yaşam tarzlarını derinden etkileyerek hem fırsatlar hem de zorluklar sunmaktadır. Çevrimiçi platformlara erişim, kadınları bilgi, eğitim ve ekonomik fırsatlarla güçlendirirken, dijital uçurum mevcut eşitsizlikleri derinleştirmekte ve dezavantajlı topluluklardaki kadınların dijital ekonomiye katılımını sınırlamaktadır. Ayrıca, çevrimiçi ortamda siber zorbalık ve cinsiyete dayalı şiddet gibi sorunlar, kadınların dijital alanlardaki katılımlarını olumsuz etkilemektedir. Dijital teknolojiler, sağlık hizmetlerinde de önemli bir rol oynamakta; yapay zekâ uygulamaları, kadınların sağlık sonuçlarını iyileştirmekte ve sağlık eşitsizliklerini azaltma potansiyeli taşımaktadır. Ergoterapi pratiğinde dijitalleşme, kadınların sağlık ihtiyaçlarını daha iyi karşılamak için fırsatlar sunmaya ve proaktif çözümler üretmeye odaklanmaktadır. Kadın sağlığına yönelik dijital uygulamalar, menstrüel sağlık ve üreme sağlığı konularında bilgiye erişimi artırmakta, ancak güvenilirlik ve etkililik açısından standartlaştırılmış kılavuzlara ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır.

References

  • 1. Khaliqi H, Qaderi K, Akrami S, Akrami K, Quraishi T. Breaking barriers: Women’s empowerment through online education platforms. Room of Civil Society Development. 2024;3(2):43-58. doi: 10.59110/rcsd.325.
  • 2. Perifanou MA. Economides A. Gender digital divide in Europe. International Journal of Business, Humanities and Technology. 2020;10(4). doi: 10.30845/ijbht.v10n4p2.
  • 3. Hayes SW, Priestley JL, Moore BA, Ray HE. Perceived stress, work-related burnout, and working from home before and during COVID-19: An examination of workers in the United States. Sage Open. 2021;11(4). doi: 10.1177/21582440211058193
  • 4. Alotaibi A, Aldossry T. Work-life balance of working mothers in the healthcare industry in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. J Soc Serv Res. 2024;50(1):14-24.
  • 5. Riyono B, Rezki G. Burnout among working mothers: The role of work-life balance and perceived organizational support. Humanitas: Indonesian Psychological Journal. 2022:109-121. doi: 10.26555/humanitas.v19i2.31.
  • 6. Begum V, Anwer Arshi T, Said Arman A, Saleem Butt A, Latheef S. A study on work-family life imbalance among women administrators in UAE higher education institutions. Heliyon. 2024;10(6):e28286. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28286.
  • 7. Hu Y, Qian Y. Gendering digital labor: Work and family digital communication across 29 countries. Community Work Fam. 2024;27(5):588-611.
  • 8. Chung H, Booker C. Flexible working and the division of housework and childcare: examining divisions across arrangement and occupational lines. Work, Employment and Society. 2023;37(1):236-256. doi: 10.1177/09500170221096586.
  • 9. Sarışın M. Toplumsal cinsiyete dayalı şiddetin yeni yüzü dijital şiddete ilişkin bir değerlendirme. KADEM Kadın Araştırmaları Dergisi. 2022;8(2):257-85.
  • 10. Kim HK. The Effects of Artificial intelligence chatbots on women’s health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Healthcare. 2024;12(5):534.
  • 11. Gbagbo FY, Ameyaw EK, Yaya S. Artificial intelligence and sexual reproductive health and rights: A technological leap towards achieving sustainable development goal target 3.7. Reproductive Health. 2024;21(1). doi: 10.1186/s12978-024-01924-9.
  • 12. Poudel K, Poudel L, Shakya PR, Poudel A, Shrestha A, Khanal B. AI-assisted cervical cancer screening. arXiv preprint arXiv:2403.11936. http://arxiv.org/abs/2403.11936.
  • 13. Fischl C, Blusi M, Lindgren H, Nilsson I. Tailoring to support digital technology-mediated occupational engagement for older adults – a multiple case study. Scand J Occup Ther. 2020;27(8):577-590. doi: 10.1080/11038128.2020.1760347.
  • 14. Larsson-Lund M, Nyman A. Occupational challenges in a digital society: A discussion inspiring occupational therapy to cross thresholds and embrace possibilities. Scand J Occup Ther. 2020;27(8):550-553. doi: 10.1080/11038128.2018.1523457.
  • 15. Margot-Cattin I, Deblock-Bellamy A, Wassmer J, Ledgerd R, von Zweck C, World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). Worldwide survey on digital assistive technology (DAT) provision. Occup Ther Int. 2024;2024(1). doi: 10.1155/2024/9536020.
  • 16. Ajayi KV, Wachira E, Onyeaka HK, Montour T, Olowolaju S, Garney W. The use of digital health tools for health promotion among women with and without chronic diseases: Insights from the 2017-2020 health information national trends survey. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2022;10(8):e39520. doi: 10.2196/39520.
  • 17. Corey L, Vezina A, Gala RB. Using technology to improve women’s health care. Ochsner Journal. 2020;20(4):422-425. doi: 10.31486/toj.19.0113.
  • 18. Karim JL, Wan R, Tabet RS, Chiu DS, Talhouk A. Person-generated health data in women’s health: Scoping review. J Med Internet Res. 2024;26:e53327. doi: 10.2196/53327.
  • 19. Lyons KD, Wechsler SB, Ejem DB, et al. Telephone-based rehabilitation intervention to optimize activity participation after breast cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(3):e242478.
  • 20. Akechi T, Yamaguchi T, Uchida M, et al. Smartphone psychotherapy reduces fear of cancer recurrence among breast cancer survivors: A fully decentralized randomized controlled clinical trial (J-SUPPORT 1703 Study). J Clin Oncol. 2022;41:1069-1078.
  • 21. Imai F, Momino K, Katsuki F, et al. Smartphone problem-solving therapy to reduce fear of cancer recurrence among breast cancer survivors: An open single-arm pilot study. Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2019;49(6):537-544. doi: 10.1093/jjco/hyz005.
  • 22. Michie L, Cameron ST. Simplified follow-up after early medical abortion: 12-month experience of a telephone call and self-performed low-sensitivity urine pregnancy test. Contraception. 2014;89(5):440-445. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2014.01.010.
  • 23. Platais I, Tsereteli T, Comendant R, Kurbanbekova D, Winikoff B. Acceptability and feasibility of phone follow-up with a semiquantitative urine pregnancy test after medical abortion in Moldova and Uzbekistan. Contraception. 2015;91(2):178-183.
  • 24. Cunningham AC, Prentice C, Peven K, et al. efficacy of the flo app in improving health literacy, menstrual and general health, and well-being in women: Pilot randomized controlled trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2024;12:e54124. doi: 10.2196/54124.
  • 25. Ko S, Lee J, An D, Woo H. Menstrual tracking mobile app review by consumers and health care providers: quality evaluations study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2023;11:e40921.
  • 26. Broad A, Biswakarma R, Harper JC. A survey of women’s experiences of using period tracker applications: Attitudes, ovulation prediction and how the accuracy of the app in predicting period start dates affects their feelings and behaviours. Women’s Health. 2022;18. doi: 10.1177/17455057221095246.
  • 27. Bracken H, Lohr PA, Taylor J, Morroni C, Winikoff B. RU OK? The acceptability and feasibility of remote technologies for follow-up after early medical abortion. Contraception. 2014;90(1):29-35. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2014.03.016.
  • 28. Ehrenreich K, Kaller S, Raifman S, Grossman D. Women’s experiences using telemedicine to attend abortion information visits in Utah: A qualitative study. Women’s Health Issues. 2019;29(5):407-413. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2019.04.009.
  • 29. Constant D, De Tolly K, Harries J, Myer L. Mobile phone messages to provide support to women during the home phase of medical abortion in South Africa: A randomised controlled trial. Contraception. 2014;90(3):226-233.
  • 30. Oskotsky TT, Yin O, Khan U, Arnaout L, Sirota M. Data-driven insights can transform women’s reproductive health. NPJ Women’s Health. 2024;2(1).
  • 31. Moulaei K, Moulaei R, Bahaadinbeigy K. Barriers and facilitators of using health information technologies by women: A scoping review. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2023;23(1). doi: 10.1186/s12911-023-02280-7.
  • 32. Lupton D, Maslen S. How women use digital technologies for health: Qualitative interview and focus group study. J Med Internet Res. 2019;21(1). doi: 10.2196/11481.
  • 33. Emezue C, Chase JD, Udmuangpia T, Bloom TL. Technology‐based and digital interventions for intimate partner violence: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Campbell Systematic Reviews. 2022;18(3). doi: 10.1002/cl2.1271.
  • 34. Ashwini K, Perla SN. An Integrated Mobile Applications for Enhancing Women’s Safety – A Comprehensive Approach. In: 2024 IEEE International Conference for Women in Innovation, Technology & Entrepreneurship (ICWITE). IEEE; 2024:223-228.
  • 35. Mauricio D, Zeña A, Avila U, Castañeda P, García L, Maculan N. AyudaMujer: A mobile application for the treatment of violence against women in Peru. J Technol Hum Serv. 2024;42(2):85-103. doi: 10.1080/15228835.2024.2343694.
  • 36. Ye R, Cai X. Digital transformation, gender discrimination, and female employment. Systems. 2024;12(5). doi: 10.3390/systems12050162.
  • 37. Bheemeshwar Reddy A, Jose S, Vaidehi R. Of access and inclusivity digital divide in online education. Econ Polit Wkly. 2021;55(36):23-26.
  • 38. Tricco AC, Parker A, Khan PA, et al. Interventions on gender equity in the workplace: A scoping review. BMC Med. 2024;22(1):1-12.
  • 39. Quesenberry JL, Trauth EM. The (dis)placement of women in the IT workforce: An investigation of individual career values and organisational interventions. Information Systems Journal. 2012;22(6):457-473. doi: 10.1111/J.1365-2575.2012.00416.X.
  • 40. Guthridge M, Kirkman M, Penovic T, Giummarra MJ. Promoting gender equality: A systematic review of interventions. Soc Justice Res. 2022;35(3):318-343.
There are 40 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Health Promotion, Digital Health
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Hülya Yaman 0000-0002-8521-2445

Gökay Çakıroğlu 0009-0005-8732-0764

Early Pub Date August 30, 2025
Publication Date August 31, 2025
Submission Date January 30, 2025
Acceptance Date July 7, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Issue: 26

Cite

JAMA Yaman H, Çakıroğlu G. Empowering Women in the Digital Age: A Narrative Review of Technological Opportunities and Barriers. IGUSABDER. 2025;:751–761.

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