Protifolon Issue 2

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Protifolon Issue 2

Digital Bangladesh and Gender Equality

The concept of Digital Bangladesh was coined during the last national election when political parties emphasised ICT-based economic and social development in their election manifestos. Various analyses reveal that the success of the elected party can be largely attributed to two factors: the pledge to try war criminals and the announcement of an economic programme leading towards Digital Bangladesh by 2021. The government is now trying to shape up how Digital Bangladesh should look and working on a national strategy. [8]

Globally, ICTs have enormous potential to transform societies. ICTs offer flexibility of time and space, a way out of isolation, and access to knowledge resources. Therefore Digital Bangladesh, if implemented correctly, could have a far reaching impact to many disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. Equally Bangladesh as a country is in a time of flux, with gender assumptions changing as a part of broader process of economic transition and social shifts. Within the context of such change, Digital Bangladesh, still in its early stages of design, could be used as powerful tool to create gender sensitive opportunities in business, education, citizenship and government.

Interview of Ms Shirin Akhter

For Digital Bangladesh, it is important that how much the country can be developed through application of new idea and how much people can share among themselves and the government in a digitalised way. Digital Bangladesh will make people's life easier by communication and that should be equal for men and women both. Only then Digital Bangladesh can empower common mass.

Digital Citizenship, Digital

The digital citizen will have equitable access to information and knowledge for improving well being. Such improvement should not exclude anyone on the basis of gender, residence, age, physical ability, economic condition, race, or ethnicity.

By providing IT skills, training, tools and guidance, we should create opportunities that can change lives, transform communities and strengthen local economies. The involvement and engagement of women in the Digital Bangladesh on an equal footing with men will directly contribute to improving the livelihood of people, making it more sustainable and thereby promoting the social and economic advancement of societies. [11]

Digital Education

Digital education is the appropriate application of tools and technologies for equitable access to quality education content for both teachers and students. ICTs are used to ensure improvement of governance in education from the bottom to the top. ICTs can play a vital role in supporting teachers with appropriate skills development.

Beyond access, education is key to building women’s capabilities and an important dimension for achieving gender equality and empowerment. At a non formal level, ICT carries many opportunities; at a formal level ICT education is generally concentrated at the tertiary stage. There is an optional course on computers in secondary schools, however the curriculum is outdated and there is little opportunity for hands-on practice. The lack of local content is also a barrier to increased use of ICT in schools.

Case Study

Across the world, ICTs have created new possibilities of employment and helped overcome traditional barriers for many women to enter the formal market economy. More women are taking up new opportunities for economic and social development, with far-reaching implications for household, community and market relations. There are plenty of reasons for optimism about the development of ICTs and the benefits that may accrue especially for the poorest and most vulnerable.[9]

Digital Business

Digital business ensures efficient transaction and payment – opening markets and creating opportunity both nationally and globally.

In Bangladesh women are grossly under-represented in ICT-based occupations. Women have reduced access to ICT skills, training and development and participate less in science and technology education as a result of social and economic barriers. This results in them often missing the benefits offered by ICTs. Women are over-represented in part-time employment and in low-paid and insecure jobs or find they are unable to gain employment at all.

Digital Government

Digital government is a form of transparent government which aims to ensure the participation of citizens in decision making processes through ICTs and, ideally, converts government itself into a service delivery institution for its citizens. The transparent government upholds human rights for all citizens including women, poor, marginalised and indigenous groups.

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