TQH Introduces WiDEN Network for Women in Digital Economy

The Quantum Hub (TQH) has announced the launch of the Women in Digital Economy Network (WiDEN), a multi-stakeholder platform that brings together government, industry, philanthropy and civil society to advance women’s participation in India’s rapidly expanding digital economy. The launch event, held on 11 December in New Delhi, convened leaders from across sectors to mark the beginning of a coordinated effort to reimagine women’s economic inclusion in the digital age.

India’s digital economy is surging, but women often remain underrepresented in this growth. Women are 33% less likely than men to use the internet, limiting their access to digital work, payments, markets, and networks. As India moves deeper into a technology-led future, closing this gender divide is essential to ensuring inclusive and sustainable digital growth.

WiDEN has been formed to address these structural barriers through evidence-led action, cross-sector collaboration and policy engagement. Anchored by TQH with support from LinkedIn, Microsoft, Google and Zoom, the Network aims to create an ecosystem where women can participate, innovate and lead across all levels of the digital value chain. It will serve as a shared platform for research, public dialogues, partnerships, and coordinated efforts to expand women’s access to digital tools, markets and opportunities.

At the launch of the event, Arti Ahuja, Former Secretary of Labour and Employment, and Member of WiDEN’s Advisory Committee said: “The way we work, we live, we interact with the government and fellow citizens is determined by advances in technology. Especially with AI, we are now at a pivotal moment- while it can be transformative, it can also deepen the digital divide. WiDEN brings together stakeholders at this critical moment to address these gaps with coordinated, evidence-based action.”

Aparajita Bharti, Founding Partner, TQH, said “Women's access to digital devices, skills and participation is a layered problem. WiDEN is designed to align research, policy and industry partnerships so solutions directly respond to these gaps.”

WiDEN’s governance structure includes an Advisory Committee, a Steering Committee, thematic Working Groups, and a Secretariat housed at TQH to coordinate all activities.

WiDEN will drive women’s inclusion in India’s digital economy through four key pillars—research and evidence-building, skilling and capacity development, policy engagement, and industry collaboration. Over its first year, the Coalition will release its vision document, set up an Advisory Board and thematic working groups, conduct an annual survey on women’s digital participation, and host a roundtable on the future of women’s work. Membership is open to companies, philanthropies, civil society and experts, offering opportunities to contribute to research, policy dialogues and collaborative initiatives. As India’s digital economy expands, WiDEN aims to ensure women are not just included but empowered as leaders, innovators and equal participants in a more inclusive digital future.