INFO LADY An innovative solution by D.Net, Bangladesh

Md. Forhad Uddin

Email: forhad@dnet.org.bd

D.Net is a R&D institution for integrating

technology in solving social problems

Implementing research and action programmes

in the areas, where

information and knowledge can contribute to

poverty alleviation, economic growth and

peace

Family Based Entrepreneurship Model

for Rural Educated Women

using ICTs

Info Lady

they have better access to the households as

well as to those people who are unable to come

out from their home.

Women have been chosen as

Info Lady

facilitate the maximum access and utilization

of resources and enhance income of Info Lady

Family Members assist Info Lady

to her regular work

Info Lady is equipped with

a netbook is loaded with

local language livelihood content,

internet modem, digital camera,

printer, mobile phone ……

Info Lady

is equipped with

weight measurement

machine, blood pressure

machine, pregnancy

related test kits, sugar

test kit etc.

a bunch of services to

the rural citizens at their

door steps.

Info Lady

offer s

Telecenter (Pallitathya Kendra HUB)

serve as their base station

for training, guidance , business development,

networking with grassroots service providers…..

Every Morning

Info Lady looks into her daily work plan,

picks up the necessary equipments and sets out

on her tour to the groups and individuals at

different villages riding a bicycle.

She discusses the reproductive health care, agriculture,

government services, rights to information and income

enhancement activities using content database.

She joins to the learning sessions with the

pre arranged occupation based groups.

She also connects the rural citizens in

receiving services from the government and

private institutions

She helps the rural

citizens to claim

their rights who is

eligible

Having set group members mind at ease,

Info Lady is on her way to the

next learning session

She also visits households and connects

the rural citizens with their relatives in

aboard using skypes or phones.

She sells products and services to the group

members and individuals as well as buy

products from them .

Producers and consumers get fair price

She allocates a time for the children

to show learning CDs with them.

This is a typical day

in the life of Info Lady,

a concept that has rapidly gained popularity

in country and abroad.

For rest of the day in the week, she will

do a round of pre-assigned villages.

In a day she attains in 2 learning

sessions and visits 25-30 households.

Info Lady earns USD 100 to 300 in a month ;

can save a portion from the earning for

future security .

She has to invest USD 1500-2000 initially

This model

improves access to livelihood information,

facilitates empowerment,

creates confidence of underprivileged

groups in the society

and

has huge employment generation potential

for the rural educated women.

Currently :

43 Info Ladies are working in

Bangladesh

What next:

Around 40 thousand ICT based women

entrepreneur development

Across the country, Bangladesh

Thank You