Over 60% women in 12 states never used the internet: Survey

NEW DELHI: The latest data from the fifth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) revealed that over 60 per cent of women in 12 states and union territories (UT) have never used internet. In more than 10 states in India, less than 40 per cent of women have used the internet including Andhra Pradesh (21 per cent), Assam (28.2 per cent), Bihar (20.6 per cent), etc. In comparison to this, more men have used the internet in same states, Andhra Pradesh (48.8 per cent), Assam (42.3 per cent), Bihar (43.6 per cent), etc.

A total of 28 states and UTs were surveyed across the country. According to the findings of the survey, states such as Andhra Pradesh (68.6 per cent), Bihar (57.8 per cent) and Telangana (66.6 per cent) have recorded lowest literacy rates among women. Whereas, Kerala (98.3 per cent), Lakshadweep (96.5 per cent) and Mizoram (94.4 per cent) have recorded the highest literacy among women in all the surveyed states and UTs.

The survey points out that less than 40 per cent women had received 10 or more years of schooling in eight states and UTs including Andhra Pradesh (39.6 per cent), Assam (29.6 per cent ), Bihar (28.8 per cent), etc. The NFHS-5 examined almost 6.1 lakh sample households, including interviews to collect information on population, health, family planning and nutrition. In Phase-1, the data from 17 states and UTs have been released and Phase-2 with the data from other states will be released next year.