The number of mobile phone users and internet users in the country is more than 18 crore and 13 crore respectively. Among them, the able-bodied have more than one phone, but marginal people, especially tea garden workers, disabled people and street children, about 85 people have a phone of their own. About 52 of them use the Internet. Among the users, 100% of mobile financial services are used by people of the third gender. And 25 percent of the marginalized population use the Internet to increase their income. And 6 percent people get government services using internet. Among them, 46 percent use the internet for government training, 41 percent for receiving grants, 29 percent for health information and 26 percent for information on agricultural work.
Apart from this, 53 percent use the Internet for entertainment purposes and 36 percent for social media, watching videos and communicating with family. Also, 29 percent use the Internet for news, 12 percent for skill development, 3 percent for job search, and 12 percent for mobile financial services and 4 percent for e-mail based communication.
These data have emerged in the report of the baseline survey conducted on the digital inclusion of marginalized groups in partnership with Telenor, Plan International Bangladesh, Grameenphone and Plan International Norway. This report was prepared by conducting 11 interviews in 13 focus groups and a survey of 4,800 people. Grameenphone released the report ‘Inclusive Digital Future’ at GP House adjacent to Bashundhara Residential on Thursday.
Effective strategies for improving online safety and digital literacy among the country’s marginalized populations are discussed before the release of the report. According to the survey, it is not only digital transformation but also, the initiation of a journey with prioritizing girls and young women; because they will play an important role in shaping the future of the country. The report sheds light on the lifestyles, challenges and needs of eight remote and underprivileged communities.
The chief guest at the event, Additional Secretary of ICT Division Mohammad Naveed Shafiullah emphasized on preparing citizens for the fourth industrial revolution, “To participate in the fourth industrial revolution, we need to create digital smart citizens, so that smart citizens have their own solutions.”
Kabita Bose, Country Director of Plan International Bangladesh highlighted the importance of digital awareness as a national level requirement and outlined the methodology for research, training, initiatives and knowledge dissemination.
Professor of Dhaka University Dr. Tania Haque and CAMPE Bangladesh Executive Director Rasheda K Chowdhury emphasized the importance of baseline survey results in working towards gender equality and women’s economic empowerment and highlighted the significance of digital literacy and skills for marginalized populations.
Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman reiterated Grameenphone’s commitment to empowering marginalized communities and women through strategic partnerships in collaboration with Plan International and other UN agencies and ensuring positive change for all.