Union Digital Centres for Gender Gap Decrement in Bangladesh: Evidence from Haor Region Islam Mohammad Samiul1,*, Sharmin Zayeda2 1Associate Professor, Department of Public Administration, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh 2Professor, Department of Political Studies, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh *Corresponding author email id: samiul-pad@sust.edu
Online Published on 20 March, 2024. Abstract The state is primarily responsible for creating an inclusive society in which everyone may benefit from the government’s advantages and opportunities. Bangladesh has been striving to create a generous society with no gender disparities since its inception as an independent nation. In every aspect of daily life, there is still a gap between men and women. The study focuses on how to mitigate the gender gap through the use of Union Digital Centre (UDC)-provided services. UDC is known as a one-stop outlet among rural people. The adoption of ‘Digital Bangladesh’ in this approach resulted in societal and organisational transformations. This study found that 60% of respondents who received computer training services from one-stop outlets mentioned the decrease in the gender gap. A questionnaire survey and a key informant interview (KII) were among the research methodologies employed in the study. Data was collected from existing literature such as books, journals (both print and electronic) and reports, published and unpublished research works, seminar reports, and so on. According to the study, 61.3% of respondents who received services related to job applications mentioned that these outlets helped close the gender gap. The study also found that the respondent’s educational status is a significant predictor of gender gap reduction. The risk of the female gender gap being reduced is found to be 7.67 times higher among the respondents who had post-graduation or above compared to primary educated respondents. The decrement of the gender gap is 2.66 times higher for those respondents who worked in agricultural work and 62.6% lower for those who were students or unemployed than in service or business. UDCs for accessing education and employment services are essential to mitigate the gender gaps, according to the survey.een made to analyse it in respect of Haryana Right to Service Act. Top Keywords Gender gap, Union Digital Centre, Education, Health, Employment and Haor Region. Top |