Smart Bangladesh

Vision 2041
Inclusive Digital Transformation to
Build a Developed and Prosperous
Country by 2041.
Concept of Smart
Bangladesh
• Smart citizens are proactive in using digital technologies.
Smart Citizens • Use technology in a responsible and sustainable way.
• Smart citizens play a critical role for creating an inclusive society.

Smart • Improve efficiency and effectiveness of the government services.

• Create more connected and transparent government by using data and technology.
Government • Serve citizens, improve delivery of public services and engage citizens in the decision making process.

• Leverages technology and innovation to drive economic growth, development and quality of life.
Smart Economy • Reduce waste and maximize the use of resources.
• Adoption of renewable energy, recycling, and green manufacturing.

• Create more sustainable future, and inclusive society for citizens.

Smart Society • Address social and environmental challenges.
• Embed digital hygiene in all aspects of daily life.
 CAMPAIGN
Smart Bangladesh 2041

Smart Health Smart City-Village

Smart Entertainment
Smart Learning and Media
& Employment

Smart Smart Economy

Government

Smart Agriculture Smart Disaster Management

& Food and Climate Action

Partnership: Government Private Sector Development Sector Academia Soerce:a2i

Components of SMART WOMEN

Digital literacy among women & girls.

Access to digital world and devices.

Women friendly digital ecosystem.

Startup and online-based businesses in Bangladesh.

Develop internet-based enterprises with skills and talents.

Knowledge and information on the latest global technology, ideology and development.

Prepare women to deal with with 4th industrial revolution and artificial intelligence.

Encourage women to progress in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

Embed digital hygiene among the women in all aspects of daily life
 Smart Women : Smart Society

Widespread telecommunication services for the community

including women.

Increase number of Social media users.

Transformation of print and electronics media in digital

platform.

More day care center and elderly care homes needed for
smart women.

The perception has to change that technology is not for women or

girls.
 Present Status of Women in Bangladesh
The Constitution of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh has guaranteed
equal rights between women and men under Article 28 (1)(2).
According to the latest BBS survey 2022 women represents 50.4% of total
population.
Bangladesh has recognized as role model for women empowerment.

Women occupy more than 20% seats in the National Parliament.

Women in the cabinet, standing committees and political party’s positions.

Performing efficiently in many areas including Government services,

Administration, LEAs, Judiciary, Media etc.
Policy Initiatives For Empowering Women

• Bangladesh Govt. Adopted Women Development Policy in 2011.

• 8th five year plan includes equal opportunities, rights and recognized
women as equal contributors in economic, social and political development.

• Enacted number of gender focused law, policies and plan of action.

• Sign and ratification (CEDAW) 1979.

• Sustainable Development Goals with special focus on goal 5, more

particularly- (5.b Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular
information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of
women).
According to the Global Gender Gap Report, (2022) Bangladesh position 71 out of 146 countries and
Champion in South Asia for eighth time.

Achieve gender parity in school enrollment.

Gender Responsive Budget prepared by all the ministries.

Training Centers for life skill development on various trades for women.

Bangladesh Bank provides collateral free loan up to Tk.2.5million for women

entrepreneurs.

Bank’s reserve 15% of total SME funds for women entrepreneurs.

G2P payment system for transfer of allowances to beneficiaries.

• About 8280 union digital • Unique helpline for everyone
service have been enabled. including women.
• Created more than 5000 • Connecting with GBV
women digital centre response mechanisms
entrepreneurs. Union
National
Parishad
Helpline
Digital
(999, 333 &
Service
109)
Centres

Ma
Digital
Telehealth
• Consultations from certified Platforms • My gov: One Platform,
centre
doctors. multiple solutions.
• Counselling, e-prescriptions. • My Court: Serving justice with
• Follow-up health services for virtual courts.
expecting mothers and • National Portal: The gateway
lactating women. to all gov info and services.
Significance of Engaging Women in Smart Economy

Smart women could play a bigger role in smart economy development

Contributes to develop women's self-esteem and promote women empowerment

Contribute to improve household poverty scenario

Contribute towards family’s health and education

Build resilience against financial shock

 Agro 64 district based
computer
Based
training
Housekeeping
Food&
&
Beverage
caregiving

40 thousand Tottho Apa:

Value chain
LIFE SKILL
DEVELOPMENT
Dress making
&
youth will be
developed with
Digital Empowering
women
management TRAINING Tailoring IT skills
through LEDP.
Literacy through ICT
services.

Motor driving Handicrafts

e-commerce
platform :
display and
IT Based
sell the
products of
women
entrepreneurs.
20% women participate in IT and Digital business.

30% in Call Center and Business process outsourcing (BPO)

50% in f-Commerce on the basis of female facebook users.

15% in e- Commerce. This Sector still dominated by men.

Smart Young Women in STEM
• Prepare young women to take on challenging roles in the fast-moving professional
world.

• Young women should advance in the field of STEM (Science, technology,

engineering and mathematics).

• Young women should try to adjust with technology.

• Young women to take part in accelerator programmes and business competitions.

• Young women should avoid the replication of old gender stereotypes and
inequalities in the digital space.

• Young women should not give up up their goal in any obstacles in the life.
Mst Sheuli Akter, (Srimongol, Moulvibazar)

• An entrepreneur at the Digital Centre, facilitated by a2i. Maliha M Quadir

• Currently, earns more than 1 lakh taka and self-reliant.
• Founder of shohoz.com
• Created employment opportunities for others through
• Largest online ticket seller in Bangladesh.
online business.

Shilpi Khatun, (Saguna Sirajgonj) Ambareen Reza

• Co-founder of Foodpanda
• Shilpi fought against inequality.
• Number one food delivery platform in the
• She works to prevent child marriage, child abuse, the country.
dowry system.
• She facilitate better health and education for the
marginalized society. Sonia Bashir Kabir

Shirin Zahan (Sumi) (Dhaka North) • Founder of SBK Tech Venture and SBK
Foundation.
• Shirin Zahan (Sumi) an entrepreneur who helped 20 • Technology investor focusing on tech startups
other entrepreneurs with graphic design training and in emerging market of South Asia.
other five in outsourcing work. • Former MD of Microsoft Bangladesh.
• Now entrepreneur Sumi is known as a job creator for
others.
Lack of cyber security and threat of online harassment.

Representation in the tech and startup is not satisfactory yet.

Acceptance of women in the technology is very low.

A wide gender gap is palpable in the tech, start-up.

Still many girls don’t know how to be an entrepreneur.

Only 7-8% women in Software, Artificial intelligence and Advanced Technology.

Prevalence of gender based violence remain a big challenge.

No recognition of unpaid care work.

Child marriage and trafficking in women and children also a big challenge.

Lack of sensitivity in dealing with cases of violence against women.

Women are mostly guided by the traditional values and believes.

Lack of Implementation of national plan action for Gender Based Policies.

Lack of Promoting decent work environment for women.

Recommendations

• Create opportunity for women e-entrepreneurship.

• Provide life skill training for women and youth girls through ICT.

• Improve coordination and collaboration among the stakeholders for women

empowerment.

• Enhance digital literacy programme, training, workshop and confirming adequate

resources and female presence.

• Strengthen cybersecurity specially for women and girls.

• Accelerate gender parity and increasing women's economic participation worldwide.

• Build an ecosystem where women are inspired, encouraged and rewarded for leveraging
technology and embracing entrepreneurship