Fri Nov 14 15:34:25 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
Hyderabad Summit Highlights Barriers to Digital Inclusion for Women in South Asia
Hyderabad, India – November 15, 2025 – The Digital Citizen Summit 2025, held at T-Hub in Hyderabad, concluded Friday with a strong call for increased efforts to bridge the digital divide for women across South Asia. Speakers at the summit emphasized that deep-rooted cultural barriers, male-dominated access to technology, and the lack of safe, women-centric digital spaces continue to hinder equitable digital inclusion.
The summit featured experts from across the region who shared insights and potential solutions. Gayani Perera of Foundation.lk, Sri Lanka, highlighted the impact of fear, surveillance, and cyberbullying in keeping women offline. She showcased the success of “Hitavathi” centers, which provide safe learning and working environments for women to develop digital skills and overcome anxieties.
Academic Sarbani Banerjee Belur noted that community access points often become monopolized by men in rural areas, leaving women excluded. Mahima Sonal of Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) demonstrated the transformative power of female-led community centers in empowering women through digital skills and online entrepreneurship.
Participants also emphasized the “dual burden” of domestic responsibilities and cultural constraints that limit women’s access to technology. The need for platforms that allow women to freely discuss issues like harassment, emotional distress, and discrimination was also raised. One speaker suggested that such initiatives could help prevent suicides among women in Sri Lanka and improve overall emotional health.
The summit concluded with a call to action, urging stakeholders to prioritize women in leadership roles within digital initiatives and to build networks that foster confidence, connection, and equitable participation, moving beyond solely profit-driven models.
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