ICT access survey, which featured Bangladesh, wins research award

The AfterAccess surveys on access to and use of information and communication technology (ICT), which featured Bangladesh, won the EQUALSinTech research category award on Saturday.

“We are honoured to have our work recognised by a global body of such high esteem,” said lead AfterAccess researcher for Asia, Helani Galpaya, CEO of regional ICT policy think-tank LIRNEasia.

“The Bangladesh-specific results will be released in Dhaka soon, and we trust that policy-makers and industry stakeholders will use this data to inform their policies and actions towards reducing the gender gap in access to and use of ICTs in Bangladesh.”

AfterAccess runs a series of nationally representative surveys based on interviews with 38,005 households and individuals in 18 countries in the Global South.

Key issues in the research include access and use of mobile phones and the internet.

AfterAccess is led by DIRSI in Latin America, LIRNEasia in Asia and Research ICT Africa in Africa.

According to a press release from LIRNEasia, the data collected from the surveys provides substantial evidence of gender disparity in access to and use of ICTs in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and the Global South as a whole.

The comprehensive database from these surveys allows for nuanced examinations of these issues and can be the first step towards evidence-based policymaking.

The EQUALS Global Partnership is a global network that attempts to bridge the digital gender gap by increasing access of tech to women.

The EQUALSinTech Award is an annual event of the group that recognises “outstanding projects and initiatives around the world that are helping women and girls become EQUALSinTech”.