Owning a phone as women in rural India and impacting their communities, we explore rural women creator’s contribution to the broader conversation about gender equality and more.
A few months back, I came across this Reel of an elderly woman from a rural area vibing to a classic 90s song. My first thought was, “Wow, I wish I had that kind of confidence.” It was a simple, fleeting moment. I didn’t think much beyond that until I scrolled down to the comments. That’s where I found people taking a completely different perspective, one that really caught me off-guard. They talked about how wholesome it was, how this woman had probably spent her entire life serving others, and now, maybe for the first time, she was doing something purely for herself, dancing just for her own joy. That one moment of self-expression, shared with others via Instagram, spoke volumes.
And then it hit me. We always talk about gender equality, but how often do we focus on the simple things, like a woman owning a phone or having access to the internet? It should be common knowledge that there’s a massive digital gender divide, especially in rural India. It’s not just about owning a phone but also about what that phone represents. It’s access, empowerment, and the ability to connect with the world in ways that women in previous generations couldn’t get the chance to.
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Take Yasodha Lodhi, for example. You might know her better as Dehati Madam. Yasodha comes from a humble background and decided to use Instagram to teach people basic English. Soon her videos went viral, and suddenly the whole country was talking about her, but more out of shock and less of wonder.
The reactions online were almost like they couldn’t believe that a woman from a rural area could make such an impact through social media. And that thought itself is a bit sad, don’t you think? The fact that in 2024, a woman using her phone to educate others is still seen as something extraordinarily uncommon. But here’s the reality, it is extraordinary because there are still so many women who don’t have access to that same platform.
Yasodha isn’t the only one. Ruma Devi, a self-taught artisan from Barmer, Rajasthan started small, creating handmade textiles with the other women in her village. But today, she’s a celebrated figure who is even seen speaking on stages like TEDx. She’s used social media to extend her support to others and empower other women and it's amazing to see the kind of impact she is making.
Geeta Choudhary is another Instagram star with nearly a million followers who has made her name as a digital celebrity. Geeta shares traditional Rajasthani recipes with the world, and her followers, myself included, love it. Honestly, after watching her videos, I’ve learned enough about Rajasthani food culture to host a full-on traditional meal. But I also feel that it’s more than just the food. It’s the connection to her culture that we feel while watching Geeta's content. And it’s not just her. Eswari S, another rural woman who loves cooking, is doing the same thing on her channel. Watching these older women enthusiastically sharing their love for food with a global audience is just heartwarming.
While you may give in to stereotypes and expect them to excel in cooking or education, that's not just the field they are killing in. Remember the 75-day fitness challenge that blew up a while ago? There have been multiple videos that saw rural women participating in it like total badasses! There they were, doing squats and lunges while balancing their daily chores, proving that they can be just as much a part of these global trends as anyone else. It is empowering to watch these women own their strength while juggling the demands of rural life.
What’s even more inspiring is the number of creators who are using their platforms to not just entertain but also raise awareness about the challenges faced by women in rural areas. From talking about stigmas to supporting other women through their content, these women are using their phones as a tool to start conversations that matter.
It's women like them who attach a greater meaning to owning a phone by finding a way to share their voice. It’s showing the world how these women, who have often been invisible, are now taking up space and making an impact in the process. In the end, social media is playing the role to recognize that women everywhere have something valuable to contribute, whether it's knowledge, craftsmanship, or cultural heritage. It's about creating a world where every woman, regardless of her background, can have the chance to express, teach, learn and inspire.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Tell us in the comments below!
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