Blockchain Technology as a Potential Solution to Empower Women and Eliminate Bias: Opportunities, Challenges, and Limitations

This chapter explores the ways in which blockchain technology can be used to address the challenges of gender inequality in developing countries. It begins with an overview of gender inequality and its persistence in various areas, followed by an introduction to blockchain technology as a potential solution to some of these challenges. The chapter then focuses on three key areas where blockchain can empower women: access to financial services, elimination of bias, and enhancement of safety. Through examples of blockchain-based platforms, the chapter explains how women can use blockchain to participate in financial transactions, report incidents of harassment, abuse, or violence, and identify and eliminate discriminatory practices in various fields. The chapter also highlights the challenges and limitations of blockchain technology in promoting gender equality, including the lack of gender diversity in the tech industry and the risk of reproducing existing gender biases. Additionally, the chapter discusses factors such as connectivity, literacy, and access to technology that can limit the use of blockchain in developing countries. The chapter concludes with a call for diversity and inclusivity in the design and deployment of blockchain solutions and emphasizes the need to address underlying structural inequalities that affect women's ability to use technology and financial services.