4IR: A Challenge or an Opportunity for Gender Equality?

Abstract

The technological advances of the 4IR hold significant implications on existing gender structures and balances, especially in the labour market. While optimists point out to opportunities for strengthening women’s position through greater gender equality through the 4IR, counterarguments that are put forward signal the 4IR would be ‘gender blind’. Entrenched inequalities and discriminatory socialnorms that keep women restricted to low paid, poor-quality jobs are likely to further deepen by the 4IR. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, still struggles with key dimensions of gender empowerment and equality, namely, economic and political empowerment.