The Determinants of Women’s Wellbeing and The Role of Information Communication Technology (ICT): New Evidence from Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) Of Punjab

Abstract

The major aim of this study is to explore the determinants of women’s wellbeing. More specifically the study examines whether Women’s Personal Characteristics, Physical and Institutional Environment and Attitudes and Beliefs have an impact on their wellbeing. In this context we also examine whether access to ICT (Information Communication Technology) has an impact on material wellbeing (wealth score) and subjective wellbeing (overall happiness and life satisfaction) of women. Employing OLS regression on MICS 2017-2018 data set we find that women's education, marital status, age, number of children are significant indicators of material and subjective wellbeing. In addition to this, results of our study prove that information as a subset of ICT is the most significant variable which positively affects subjective and material wellbeing of women. Communication and ICT skills are positively contributing towards material wellbeing whereas heir impact on subjective wellbeing is insignificant. Overall, the empirical findings of the study clearly brings out the importance of ICT and the socio economic variables in enhancing the wellbeing of women and establishes the important role of ICT in explaining the relationship between the two. Drawing on our results the study suggests measures to upgrade the wellbeing of women through ICT which could assist policy makers in drawing up needed policies to address this important issue.