By Minhazul Haque
Access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become crucial for social and economic advancement in the current digital era. But there is still a sizable digital divide in many places, especially in low-income nations like Bangladesh. Millions are unable to take advantage of the advantages of the digital economy because of this divide, which goes beyond a simple technological one and is a reflection of larger differences in social access, income and education. In addition to being a top policy objective for Bangladesh, closing this gap is essential for inclusive development and economic expansion.
In Bangladesh, disparities in access to ICT among different socioeconomic categories are referred to as the “Digital Divide.” Digital access and skills are heavily influenced by factors such as gender, education, region and income. Due to a lack of resources and infrastructure, rural areas lag behind urban areas in terms of internet usage and connectivity. While rural regions in Bangladesh frequently face issues including poor infrastructure, unstable power supplies and restricted internet availability, government measures have improved connection in urban areas.
According to a 2019 poll conducted by the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development, just 37% of rural respondents have access to the internet, primarily via personal mobile networks. Despite this rise, there is still a sizable disparity between urban and rural users, indicating the necessity of a multifaceted strategy for digital inclusion. Access and use of ICT are still determined by sociodemographic characteristics including age, income and education, proving that material access is not enough to close the digital divide.
There are some major challenges in bridging digital divide. Some of them are :
- Accessibility and Infrastructure:
One of the most enduring obstacles to closing Bangladesh’s digital divide is the lack of adequate infrastructure. High data costs, erratic internet connectivity and frequent power outages are all problems in rural locations. These obstacles make it more difficult for people to use online government, business and educational services. Enabling fair digital access, especially in underprivileged areas, requires expanding ICT infrastructure.
- Skill Gaps and Digital Literacy:
Digital inclusion is not assured by access alone. According to a study done in rural Bangladesh, many people lack the skills necessary to use online platforms efficiently, particularly those who live in low-income and rural areas. The digital gap is exacerbated by the significant variations in basic internet abilities, such as web browsing and information seeking. It emphasizes how crucial training in digital literacy is to empowering individuals.
- Financial Obstacles:
One important contributing reason to Bangladesh’s digital gap is financial constraints. For many households, devices, data and ICT infrastructure are still out of reach. Furthermore, just 37% of people have access to formal financial services, which restricts economic engagement and makes it more difficult to switch to digital banking and mobile payments. Targeted efforts are needed to lower the cost and increase the accessibility of digital tools, especially for underserved populations, in order to overcome these financial obstacles.
- Gender Disparities:
The digital divide also intersects with gender disparities. Women, particularly in rural and low-income settings, face social and cultural barriers that restrict their access to digital resources. A study focused on Bangladeshi Muslim women, illustrated how socio-cultural norms and financial constraints hinder digital financial inclusion among marginalized women. These findings emphasize the need for gender-sensitive policies to ensure that digital initiatives reach and benefit women equitably.
The government and people of Bangladesh are working to close the digital divide, despite the numerous obstacles that stand in their way. With the help of programs like the Digital Bangladesh vision, Bangladesh has achieved impressive progress toward digital inclusion. A key component of these initiatives has been the Access to Information (a2i) program, which was started in 2007 and is funded by USAID and the UNDP. A2i has made it possible for millions of residents to access online government services, like e-procurement and utility bill payments, from their local communities by setting up more than 4,500 digital centers nationwide. These facilities have promoted digital literacy among marginalized communities and democratized access to information.
To improve digital education, multimedia classrooms and an e-book platform were also implemented. However, because of budgetary and infrastructure limitations, many students still do not have access to online learning, even in spite of these achievements. These difficulties were further highlighted by the COVID-19 outbreak, since school closures necessitated online instruction. According to a research titled “Online Education and Community Participation in Bangladesh,” a small percentage of students were able to engage in distance learning. Although the government’s attempts to disseminate instructional content via community radio and BTV were commendable, they fell short of reaching the underprivileged student body, indicating the need for further funding for inclusive digital education infrastructure.
Bangladesh government could take some key strategies to ensure equitable access and bridging digital divide. Such,
1. Improved Connectivity and Infrastructure :
To close the gap, digital infrastructure must continue to be improved. Broader access to ICT can be ensured by increasing network coverage, particularly in underserved and rural areas. To scale up infrastructure investments, collaboration between ICT entrepreneurs and telecom providers is essential. By creating a Universal Service Obligation Fund, infrastructure development in outlying areas may be subsidized, guaranteeing fair access for all populations.
2. Promoting Digital Knowledge:
Programs for digital literacy are crucial for equipping people with the abilities required to use ICT efficiently. Basic digital skills can be acquired through community-based training and educational initiatives. Libraries have the potential to be extremely important in advancing digital literacy, especially for underserved populations. ICT may be made accessible to people with limited resources by using libraries and other community facilities as hubs for developing digital skills.
3. Financial Services :
Inclusive Digital banking solutions that are both affordable and easily accessible are crucial for advancing digital financial inclusion. To lower transaction costs and deploy mobile banking solutions, the government can work with commercial banks and financial institutions. Initiatives that focus on digital banking and financial literacy can enable marginalized groups to take advantage of the digital economy. Digital financial services would become more accessible with the launch of safe, user-friendly interfaces in regional languages, particularly for low-income and rural consumers.
4. Digital Policies:
Digital policies that are specifically designed to address the sociocultural barriers that women encounter are necessary to address gender gaps in digital access. Closing the gender gap requires programs that encourage women-led ICT enterprises, prioritize women’s digital literacy, and offer inexpensive ICT access. To make sure that these policies represent the needs of everyone in the community, policymakers should involve women and community leaders in digital inclusion initiatives.
However, it would need concerted efforts from the public and corporate sectors as well as civil society to close the digital divide in Bangladesh. According to several research, community involvement is crucial to developing inclusive and resilient digital spaces. Additionally, especially in rural regions, community participation can raise awareness and motivate individuals to use digital technologies. By working together with development partners and international organizations, Bangladesh can get financial and technical assistance to solve its digital obstacles.
Minhazul Haque is a member of the Social Research Group (SRG) and an undergraduate student of Public Administration at Comilla University, Bangladesh. The article is a work in progress.
