Gender features of digitalization on the Russian labor market

Abstract

Digitalization changes the nature of work and the demands for competences of a modern employee, but the speed and volume of digitalization differ by type of economic activity. In the context of existing gender differentiation on the labor market, differences in the degree of digitalization lead to the fact that male and female types of employment change differently. The aim of the article is to determine the degree and features of digitalization of "women's" and "men's" spheres of employment and draw conclusions on the prospective impact of these differences on gender inequality. Data analysis concerning current gender differentiation on the labor market, the scale of occupational digitalization and the use of information technologies for various purposes allows us to conclude that both "male" and "female" professions are highly digitalized, but the nature of the changes is different. Data on the gender distribution in the areas of employment and the degree of digitalization of these areas allow us to distinguish 3 categories of women's participation in digital economy: 1. Household use of digital technologies; 2. Digital technologies use while performing labor functions; 3. Creation of digital technologies and direct participation in digitalization. The areas of women's primary employment (health care, information and communication, finance, education) are currently the leaders in employing digital technologies, so computer technologies penetrate more intensively into the professional activities of women than in "male" professions (for example, construction). However, in software development and digital technology management, women are less represented, acting as users of technologies created mainly by men. Since creation is primary related to usage, digitalization enhances gender inequality determining the innovative role for men and the user role for women, which should be taken into account while implementing policies aimed at overcoming inequality.