Gender and Employment in the Digital Economy: A Systematic Review of Opportunities and Inequalities

Abstract

The rapid expansion of the digital economy has transformed employment structures, work arrangements, and opportunities for economic participation, while simultaneously creating new forms of gender-based inequality. This systematic review examines the relationship between gender and employment in the digital economy, with particular attention to the opportunities and inequalities experienced by women and men across digital and digitally enabled labour markets. The review synthesizes evidence on digital skills, access to information and communication technologies, platform and gig work, remote employment, entrepreneurship, career advancement, and participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related occupations. The findings indicate that digitalization can expand employment opportunities through flexible work arrangements, online entrepreneurship, digital platforms, and access to geographically dispersed labour markets. However, these benefits are unevenly distributed because persistent gender disparities in digital access, skills, education, unpaid care responsibilities, occupational segregation, income, leadership representation, and access to finance continue to shape participation in the digital economy. The review further identifies platform-based work as a complex area in which digital technologies may increase labour-market entry while simultaneously exposing workers to income insecurity, algorithmic management, limited social protection, and gender-specific risks. Evidence also suggests that remote work can improve flexibility but does not automatically eliminate unequal domestic and caregiving responsibilities. Overall, the review demonstrates that technological expansion alone is insufficient to achieve gender equality in employment. Inclusive digital-skills development, affordable connectivity, equitable education and training, stronger labour protections, gender-responsive digital policies, access to finance, and measures addressing unpaid care work are essential for ensuring that the digital economy contributes to more equitable employment outcomes. The study provides a consolidated evidence base for researchers, policymakers, employers, and development practitioners seeking to promote inclusive and gender-responsive digital labour markets.