According to the latest census, there are 1.5 million more women than men in the country. They are often being harassed through digital media. What did the ICT Division do for them? Bangladesh is focusing on gender equality or equity in the current socio-economic reality of the country. In this case, how will the young women of the university participate in ICT to participate in gender equality? What fruitful initiatives can be taken for the rural youth society in ICT? What can we do to solve the problem of unemployment by dealing with the impact of the pandemic?
State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak faced such questions in a conference organized by Bangmata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Center for Gender and Development Studies of Dhaka University which was established on Sunday.
Paying tribute to Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, he said in reply that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had envisioned the formation of technology-based prestigious Digital Bangladesh in 2008 to harness the immense power of youth for the next two decades. She fulfilled it in just 13 years on the golden jubilee of independence with her integrity, foresight and courageous leadership. Digital Bangladesh has been established on 4 strong pillars under the supervision of Prime Minister’s Information and Communication Advisor Sajeeb Wazed Joy.
He said, to keep women safe in the cyber world, we focus on 3 things to build resistance against crime. To impart basic concepts in cyber hygiene, awareness and digital literacy at individual, family and institutional level. We are working on them. Besides, we have already ensured the respect and dignity of many women by doing the Digital Security Act. With the advancement of technology, anyone can now call the 333 call center to seek any advice or recommendation, or legal recourse, to prevent child marriage or cyber security. In 5 years, 9 crore people received lifesaving services by calling 999. Already we have set up Digital Literacy Center. Bangmata Sheikh Fazilatunnecha Center for Gender and Development Studies will work together against cyber security and cyber bullying across the country under their leadership.
The State Minister farther said that, the Prime Minister had taken a groundbreaking initiative of appointing a boy and a girl entrepreneur while setting up the Union Service Center in 2010 to connect the rural youth to ICT. This time, to solve the problem of unemployment, the price of internet bandwidth for internet connection at the union level has been reduced to Taka 200. As a result, 650,000 freelancers of the country are earning more than Taka 500 million export earnings at home by working in the online marketplace for entertainment as well as education and training. 40,000 youths have been trained in the Learning and Earning project amid the pandemic, of which 30 percent women have been ensured to participate. We have created 13 thousand women entrepreneurs in the She power project. This time, 25 thousand more women entrepreneurs are being created under the Her project at 250 crore taka.
On the PayPal issue of easy income for freelancers, Palak said, we are continuously discussing with them. They will surely come after seeing our economic growth. But I can’t say the specific day now. However, as an alternative to PayPal, we have already brought companies like Payoneer and Payza to the country. Moreover, National Payment Switch was installed in Bangladesh Bank in 2010. As a result, freelancers can bring money to their account through bKash.
Several students of Dhaka University asked questions in front of the honored guests present in this event held on the gender equality of future Bangladesh.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr. Md. Enamur Rahman and former national cricket team leader Mashrafe Bin Murtaza were also present as honored guests in the seminar presided over by Professor Dr. Tanya Haque.