Kamelia Petkova
Papers of BAS. Humanities and Social Sciences
Vol. 12, 2025, No. 1
From isolation to connectivity:
Digital inequalities and opportunities for Roma women
Kamelia Petkova
Abstract. This article explores how Roma women in Bulgaria experience digital inequality, highlighting the intersection of gender, ethnicity, and social exclusion. Based on 21 in-depth interviews, the study identifies barriers such as limited access to technology, patriarchal control, and low digital literacy. At the same time, it emphasizes the agency of women who strive to gain digital skills and autonomy. The findings reveal that digital inequality cannot be addressed solely through technological solutions, but requires structural change, inclusive education, and cultural sensitivity. The paper offers an intersectional approach to digital exclusion as both a social and technological phenomenon.
Keywords: Roma women, digital inequality, social exclusion, digital empowerment, intersectionality