Dissemination of Union Digital Services and its Effect on Women in Haor Regions in Bangladesh

Abstract

The research emphasises the dissemination of union digital services and its effect on women in the Haor region of Bangladesh. The study has concentrated on outlining dissemination strategies for union digital services, identifying the types of digital services requested by women, examining the impact of union digital services on women's education and employment, assessing the presence of gender disparities in access to UDC services, and pinpointing the primary challenges and socio-economic issues encountered by women in the delivery or receipt of UDC services. The research adhered to a pragmatism philosophy and employed a mixed-methods approach. The unit of analysis comprised service seekers in UDCs. A questionnaire survey was employed to gather quantitative data. The respondents for the survey were individuals seeking services from UDC. The sample consisted of 720 individuals, selected from 40 respondents from each UDC, across 18 UDCs, within 16 haorbased Upazilas from four districts in the haor region. Descriptive statistical tools, such as frequency distribution and crosstabulation, are employed to analyse the socio-economic factors of the respondents and compare the responses of male and female participants. Additionally, inferential statistics like chi-square tests and binary logistic regression are used to examine how union digital services (the independent variable) relate to their spread and how they affect women (the dependent variable). Binary logistic regression is employed to predict the probability of the predictors concerning UDS effects on women. A questionnaire that includes structured, semi-structured, and unstructured questions was employed to gather quantitative data. In-depth Interview (IDI) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were employed to gather qualitative data and information from the areas under study. The process for analysing qualitative data involved transcription, familiarisation with the data, categorisation and coding, and the preparation of a codebook or framework. The analysis of qualitative data was conducted thematically. The study's major findings indicate the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents as follows: The data indicates that the majority of respondents possessed primary education, accounting for 29% of the sample, with a gender distribution of 32.8% female and 23.9% male. Based on the chi-square result, the study indicates a strong relationship between the education status and gender identity of the respondents (χ² = 40.296, df = 5, p = <0.001). Income levels varied between 10,000 and 20,000 BDT, representing 73.3% of respondents, Page | vi with 79.0% being female and 65.6% male. Based on the chi-square result, the study indicates a strong relationship between the income levels and gender identity of the respondents (χ² = 28.872, df = 4, p = <0.001). The predominant occupation reported was household work, comprising 35.6% of the respondents, with a significant gender distribution of 61.4% female and only 0.3% male. According to the chi-square result, the study suggested a statistically strong relationship between the occupation status and gender identity of the respondents (χ² = 352.371, df = 8, p < 0.001). Additionally, the largest age group among respondents was 31– 50 years, making up 51.3% of the total, with 51.8% female and 50.5% male representation. The study's conclusion pertains to users' perceptions of the effect of union digital services on women's education and employment in haor regions. Respondents reported the following utilisation rates for government services: birth/death/citizen certificate (83.9%), overseas employment (100%), passport TIN (tax) certificate (94.1%), livelihood information (92.3%), land services (88.7%), VGD or VGF card list (79.5%), trade licence (78.4%), land recording (82%), and various government allowances (75.3%). Information services similarly exhibit education/admission exams and examination results (84.3%), government form downloads (83%), health services (85.9%), agricultural information (90.4%), legal and human rights resources (100%), tourism data (100%), and environmental and disaster management information (90.8%). Furthermore, commercial services encompass typing or data entry (80.8%), printing and photocopying (81.5%), email and internet browsing (78.4%), CV and job applications (80.4%), computer/ICT/English language proficiency training (97.6%), phone or video conferencing (97.7%), mobile banking or banking services (96.4%), scanning and laminating (87.3%), photography (85.8%), online visa applications (98.4%), e-tickets for air/bus/rail travel (69.6%), insurance services (66.3%), science and technology (94%), and industry and commerce (92.1%), respectively. Binary logistic regression identifies the variables as various government allowances, printing and photocopying services, and electronic tickets for air, rail, and bus transportation. Various government allowances are determinants influencing women's education and employment, as evidenced by a p-value of <0.001 (<0.05). The odds ratio of 3.555 signifies that those who obtained government allowances possess a probability of success in women's education and employment status that is 3.555 times higher than those who did not get such allowances. Another predictor is the act of printing and photocopying. It significantly impacts women's Page | vii education and employment in rural areas, as indicated by a p-value of 0.011, which is below the 0.05 threshold. The odds ratio of 2.103 indicates that the likelihood of women's education status is 2.103 times higher for individuals who received it compared to those who have not. Another identified predictor is the utilisation of e-tickets for air, rail, and bus transport, which impacts women's education and employment in haor regions, as indicated by a p-value of less than 0.001 (<0.05). An odds ratio of 5.235 signifies that persons who obtained e-tickets for air, rail, and bus travel are 5.235 times more likely to experience an impact on women's education and employment in the haor region than those who did not receive e-tickets. The qualitative data reveals an approximate 15 to 20 per cent rise in the female education rate in haor regions during the last decade. UDC advocates for guardians and female students to pursue their education by enhancing access to educational services within their communities. Moreover. Women and girls are inspired to pursue their education to become women entrepreneurs at the UDC. UDC requires specific educational qualifications for its female entrepreneurs. Moreover, women's education is advancing through UDC. In this instance, UDC is fostering awareness among the local populace regarding the education of women and girls. Mobile banking enables scholarships and stipends for female students in the haor region. Consequently, UDC promotes women's education in haor areas. Qualitative research reveals that women constitute 30% of the UDC workforce in haor regions. Female entrepreneurs and their assistants represent success. Furthermore, UDC provides several training programmes, including computer skills, ICT, English language competence, and sewing machine operation. UDC is delivering financial services using an agent banking system. Consequently, women in haor regions obtained microcredit from the UDC. Furthermore, UDC assists prospective women and girls in securing employment in outsourcing, freelancing, and internet business or e-commerce. Additionally, the UDC supports and enables opportunities to find overseas employment in haor regions. The study revealed various methods for disseminating UDC services, with paper-based communication being used by 73.7% of females and 66.2% of males. Verbal communication accounted for 20.2% of females and 20.3% of males. Cell phone usage was reported at 3.6% for females and 8.2% for males, while email was used by 2.4% of females and 5.2% of males. The research additionally investigated an alternative method for the dissemination of UDC services, specifically focusing on home service delivery. The users' satisfaction level Page | viii regarding UDC performance is notably high. This is particularly evident in the metrics for internet speed, where 42.2% of females and 31.8% of males expressed moderate satisfaction. Additionally, the availability of essential equipment at UDC garnered a satisfaction rate of 44.8% for females and 39.7% for males. Furthermore, the competence of entrepreneurs at UDC received a positive response, with 52.0% of females and 43.6% of males indicating satisfaction. The remaining two categories—power availability in UDC (29.9% for females and 26.6% for males) and entrepreneurial behaviour in UDC (39.8% for females and 34.1% for males)—demonstrate higher levels of satisfaction. Respondents who utilised UDC services reported a moderate level of satisfaction regarding the overall service delivery. Specifically, 62.7% of female respondents and 53.8% of male respondents indicated that they were satisfied with the services provided. The study investigates the effect of union digital services on various facets of women's lives in the Haor region. The study determined some specified areas. Among the specified areas, easy access to government, information, and commercial services is included. The study indicates moderate agreement, constituting female (44.3%) and male (41.3%) respondents. Similarly, in respect of enhancing access to information and services for women, the study suggested moderate agreement (female 43.9%; male 37.4%). Thereby, in the case of increasing health information and telemedicine, the study demonstrated a moderate agreement constituting female (38.8%) and male (35.4%) respondents. Additionally, the study indicates a high level of agreement regarding the spread of computer literacy provided by UDC, with female respondents at 40.0% and male respondents at 36.4%. In respect of the promotion of education and literacy, the data indicates a moderate agreement among female respondents at 41.7% and male respondents at 33.1%. Furthermore, there is a significant contribution to the enhancement of employment opportunities for women, as evidenced by the responses, which indicate a 40.0% female and a 36.4% male high level of agreement on that issue. Finally, the report encourages increased participation of women in household and local government decision-making processes, which has resulted in moderate agreement by female respondents (52.0%) and male respondents (44.9%). The report identifies the specific types of digital services that women in the Haor region are requesting from UDCs. The data shows the different services available, which include: education (52.2%), downloading government forms (51%), getting birth, death, and citizen Page | ix certificates (58.3%), health information and telemedicine (60.1%), livelihood information (48.9%), lists of VGD and VGF cards (64.6%), data entry and typing (58.4%), printing and photocopying (56.3%), email and internet access (52.8%), scanning and laminating (55.6%), photography (54.4%), and various government allowances (51.4%). Women in the Haor region were actively pursuing various services, including OMS cards, electricity bill payments, COVID-19 immunisations for children, applications for NID cards, assistance and refuge during floods, microcredit options, and insurance services. The research indicates that UDS significantly affects key aspects of the lives of women living in the Haor region. The primary areas of focus encompass education for women and girls, healthcare access for women and girls, employment opportunities for women, and the participation of women in decision-making processes at both household and local government levels institutions. To enhance women's education in the Haor area, it is advisable to promote the utilisation of online educational programmes. The UDCs possess the capability to address technical challenges and improve literacy rates and educational awareness. By prioritising the training and benefits offered to women, UDCs can effectively tackle poverty, create job opportunities, improve social awareness, and provide educational resources and scholarships for female students. Furthermore, they may enhance understanding of the importance of women's education via campaigns and social awareness initiatives. UDCs deliver various types of information, encompassing education-related content and financial assistance, through women's gatherings or yard meetings. Furthermore, they offer a variety of training programmes and actively advocate for women's education regarding the advantages of digital technology. The implementation of essential measures by UDCs can enhance the quality of education for women in the Haor area. The implementation of UDC services has significantly impacted women in Haor regions, granting them access to services that are primarily aligned with their interests. The increase in ICT has enabled women to independently access these services, removing the necessity for external support or long-distance travel. Women demonstrate a higher propensity to utilise these services, as they enable the independent execution of essential tasks and the effective use of digital services, thereby promoting self-reliance. The execution of UDC initiatives has led to increased participation in governmental affairs and improved confidence among women in the region. A thorough analysis of the impact of UDC Page | x services on women has yet to be performed. The acquisition of these items through official services or information is a straightforward procedure, although it may differ in terms of cost and the time needed for completion. Women now possess the ability to independently access government services, eliminating the need for reliance on men. Attendance at UDC is required, where participants will engage in discussions with company owners to address their concerns. The survey findings indicate that a significant majority of respondents (91.94%, with 93% of females and 90.50% of males) do not acknowledge the existence of genderbased inequality. Conversely, a minority of respondents (8.06%, comprising 7% of females and 9.50% of males) recognise its presence. Evidence is presented to support the existence of gender inequality. At the UDC, there is a pronounced emphasis on nepotism, favouritism, education, political influence, and the interests of privileged groups. The analysis ultimately identified many significant obstacles to gender equality. The challenges encountered are attributed to several factors, including inadequate communication infrastructure, the frequent occurrence of natural disasters, low income levels, the proximity of UDC to the local market, the absence of social security measures, the prevalence of sexual harassment, the lack of separate sanitation facilities for women, insufficient cooperation from the UP chairman and secretary, the prevalence of early marriages, health issues, insufficient capital, inadequate training, flawed performance evaluation methods, workplace restrictions, a lack of family support, the absence of job security, limited job opportunities, and the misinterpretation of religious rules. Additionally, there are several issues related to UDCs. The challenges encountered in UDC management encompass the lack of clear guidelines and policies, difficulties in the selection of qualified UDC entrepreneurs, a shortage of skilled female entrepreneurs, inadequate space for UDC operations, insufficient knowledge among local UP chairmen regarding ICT usage, slow internet connectivity, power outages, political interference, limited awareness, underutilisation of digital equipment, and challenges faced by Upazila and DC offices in monitoring and supervising UDC activities.