Breaking barriers for females in IT freelancing: An analysis of challenges in Sri Lanka

IF 1.9 3区社会学 Q2 WOMENS STUDIES

Womens Studies International Forum Pub Date : 2025-07-31 DOI:10.1016/j.wsif.2025.103173

Dinithi Liyanage, Adithya Vidanapathirana, Pulasthi Attanayake, Devinda Mudannayake, Kalpana Ambepitiya

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Abstract

The underrepresentation of female IT freelancers on online platforms in Sri Lanka, contrasted with the increasing acceptance of freelancing among women in developed countries, underscores a significant gap within the global gig economy. This study employs a qualitative research approach, utilizing telephone interviews with female IT professionals. Through the interviews with freelancers, insights gathered show the study proposition regarding the interplay of key variables affecting their motivation, highlighting four independent variables: disinclination, childcare and family responsibilities, gender pay gap and job security and income stability. Thematic analysis was applied to the data, with expert confirmation of the reliability of the variables identified. The research discusses the negative impacts these factors have on motivation, and in addition, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted more women to consider freelancing for self-preservation. Ultimately, the study advocates for an equitable working environment to bolster the demand for female IT freelancers and aims to raise awareness regarding the challenges faced by Sri Lankan women in this field.

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打破女性在IT自由职业中的障碍：斯里兰卡的挑战分析

斯里兰卡在线平台上的女性IT自由职业者比例不足，与发达国家女性对自由职业的接受程度日益提高形成鲜明对比，突显了全球零工经济内部的巨大差距。本研究采用质性研究方法，对女性IT专业人士进行电话访谈。通过对自由职业者的访谈，收集到的见解显示了影响自由职业者动机的关键变量的相互作用的研究命题，突出了四个自变量：不喜欢、照顾孩子和家庭责任、性别工资差距和工作保障和收入稳定性。对数据进行了专题分析，专家确认了所确定变量的可靠性。该研究讨论了这些因素对动机的负面影响，此外，该研究还指出，COVID-19大流行促使更多女性考虑为自我保护而从事自由职业。最终，该研究倡导一个公平的工作环境，以支持对女性IT自由职业者的需求，并旨在提高对斯里兰卡女性在该领域面临的挑战的认识。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Womens Studies International Forum WOMENS STUDIES-

CiteScore

2.50

自引率

7.10%

发文量

审稿时长

79 days

期刊介绍： Women"s Studies International Forum (formerly Women"s Studies International Quarterly, established in 1978) is a bimonthly journal to aid the distribution and exchange of feminist research in the multidisciplinary, international area of women"s studies and in feminist research in other disciplines. The policy of the journal is to establish a feminist forum for discussion and debate. The journal seeks to critique and reconceptualize existing knowledge, to examine and re-evaluate the manner in which knowledge is produced and distributed, and to assess the implications this has for women"s lives.