In the new normal, many of our activities have moved online. In some ways, this has forced us to become more efficient. It has also forced many to rapidly adapt to a digital way of doing things, including working through Zoom, email, instant messaging, and various other apps. The trouble is, though, that a large segment of the population still lags behind when it comes to digital literacy at rural level in Bangladesh.

Addressing the challenge, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio & Communication (BNNRC), has been implementing initiatives to create enabling environment to fight against poverty and injustice to contribute to sustainable inclusive development through ICT education and digital literacy.
Under these initiatives, BNNRC has been supporting community radios to develop radio contents, organize series of live discussion and fellowship program for youth and youth women on varied issues including digital literacy, Up skill -Deskill in the era of 4IR, employment, entrepreneurship, start-up, TVET, gender disparity at community level and its progress, challenges, and way forward.

The radio programs both community radios and its Facebook Page crated an opportunity to link all stakeholders, students, unskilled persons, administrators. It promotes self- employment, youth entrepreneurship and technical trainings at the community level.

https://bnnrc.net/empowering-youth-and-youth-women-through-digital-literacy/

• Rural Bangladesh , Bangladesh

• Youth
• Youth and Youth Women at rural Bangladesh

The activities to be implemented to aware the community people particularly youth and women about employment generation and upskilling in digitally as well as service delivery points and concerned Service Providers are positive for providing their services will be carried out through series of radio program, which is replicable in any community.

As the community radio has always inspired the marginalized to share opinions to address political and social action. Beside it would be used as a tool for both active and passive communication and outreach in world wide.

Besides, Social Media Campaign through radio’s Facebook page which will act as a virtual platform for young people who have ideas to share on how to reduction in poverty and inequality, providing quality education, gender equality, through building strong institutions and partnerships.

Through the initiatives radio huge numbers of broadcasters and fellows are now linked with the local community radio stations as professionals: as reporters, producers, and presenters. Now they are linked with the regional and national media (print and electronic) outlets as well as freelancer so that their professionalism can grow and continue.

Besides the radio programs provided youth and youth women with tools and skills that generate evidence to support their demands and help them to identify and prioritize areas of investment.

The program operates inclusively, including relevant media stakeholders (press clubs, local and national representatives of national media, community, government officers) which ensured long term empowerment building. The program also generated community-led priorities to inform policy-makers and duty bearers to make effective decisions regarding inclusive development.
Besides, by linking the social media platform will ensure that the program will have a deep, sustainable and multiplying impact, where the indirect beneficiaries will exceed several thousands.

Through this intervention, WSIS values (Action line- C4) in Bangladeshi communities is strongly adhered and promoted extensively. This is done through building capacity of youth and youth women and encourages the local communities to up skilling on technology and digital literacy as well as self –learning and entrepreneurship.