Women Resellers in India’s Gig Economy: From Access to Confidence

Abstract

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, conversations around the gig economy have explored its impact on how we view labour and the skilled workforce globally. In India, both the “gig economy” and gig workers have always existed and been pervasive, especially in the unorganized sectors. Many women in India, especially homemakers who want to work from home, have leveraged platforms like Meesho to enter the commercial realm. The research presented in this chapter shows how women have “negotiated” social permissions to try reselling, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, where digital or mobile access is restricted. It also focuses on what it means for them to use the internet for the Meesho app, or to try reselling or setting up their online business through the platform.