Session
Digital Empowerment Foundation
Dr. Raina Ghosh, Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), Civil Society, India - Onsite Moderator & Speaker Osama Manzar, Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), Civil Society, India - Speaker Dr. Arpita Kanjilal, Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), Civil Society, India - Speaker
Dr. Raina Ghosh, Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), Civil Society, India - Onsite Moderator & Speaker Osama Manzar, Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), Civil Society, India - Speaker Dr. Arpita Kanjilal, Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), Civil Society, India - Speaker
Organization's Website
Speakers
Osama Manzar, Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), Civil Society, India - Speaker
Dr. Arpita Kanjilal, Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), Civil Society, India - Speaker
Onsite Moderator
Dr. Raina Ghosh, Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), Civil Society, India - Onsite Moderator & Speaker
Rapporteur
Dr. Arpita Kanjilal, Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), Civil Society, India - Speaker
SDGs
Format
Session Format: Lightning Talk
Duration: 20 mins
Session Plan:
3 min: Introduction – Digital circular economy and its inequalities.
4 min: Case Study – Insights from Delhi’s e-waste hubs.
3 min: Legal & Policy Gaps – Governance failures in labor laws.
2 min: Health & Environmental Risks – Caste- and gender-specific hazards.
1 min: Call to Action – Urging inclusive policy reforms.
2 min: Policy Recommendations – Labor protections and formalization.
5 min: Q&A & Audience Engagement – Hybrid participation
Duration (minutes)
20
Description
The digital circular economy is reshaping industries, yet its impact is deeply unequal. This session examines who participates in it and how structural inequalities tied to social identities - gender, caste and religion - shape their roles. The informal e-waste sector in India exemplifies this divide, where women, Dalit and Muslim workers remain invisible despite being integral to digital waste management.
Confined to low-wage, hazardous roles like wire stripping and plastic sorting, marginalized workers face systemic exclusion from higher-paying, safer positions predominantly held by dominant-caste men. This deepens economic and social inequities while exposing marginalized communities to severe health risks.
Based on field studies from New Delhi’s e-waste hubs, this session will analyze stakeholders in the digital circular economy, exposing governance gaps in labor laws and social protection. Policies such as the Minimum Wages Act (2019) and the E-Waste (Management) Rules (2016) overlook these vulnerable workers, perpetuating exclusion.
Through an intersectional critique, the Lightning Talk will highlight key challenges and propose legal, economic, and technological reforms to ensure an inclusive digital economy that benefits all, including women, Dalits, Muslims, and informal e-waste workers.
To enhance hybrid engagement, we will ensure the following: 1. Attendees, whether participating in person or virtually, can submit questions in real-time. Speakers will be able to view these inquiries and incorporate their responses and insights into their discussions in the last 5 mins of the Session. 2. Split-Screen Format: Providing balanced visibility for both in-person speakers and online participants. 3. We will ensure that our digital presentation is shared with online attendees. 4. Complimentary online tool: QR Codes for resources will be ensured, enabling attendees to scan and access case studies, policy briefs, and DEF’s research reports effortlessly.
To enhance hybrid engagement, we will ensure the following: 1. Attendees, whether participating in person or virtually, can submit questions in real-time. Speakers will be able to view these inquiries and incorporate their responses and insights into their discussions in the last 5 mins of the Session. 2. Split-Screen Format: Providing balanced visibility for both in-person speakers and online participants. 3. We will ensure that our digital presentation is shared with online attendees. 4. Complimentary online tool: QR Codes for resources will be ensured, enabling attendees to scan and access case studies, policy briefs, and DEF’s research reports effortlessly.