Grameenphone, in collaboration with Plan International Bangladesh and Telenor, hosted a learning and sharing session at the GPHouse in Dhaka today, showcasing the transformative power of digital inclusion through their “Safe Digital Space for Girls and Youth (SDSGY)” project. The initiative has empowered 2.9 million individuals, particularly women, across eight marginalized communities by providing essential digital skills and online safety awareness.
The event was opened by Tanveer Mohammad, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Grameenphone. Anjum Rasna Hasan, Grameenphone’s Project Lead, and Khurshid Ara, Project Lead at Plan International Bangladesh, delivered a keynote presentation, highlighting the progress and impact of the project. Two sessions were moderated by Kabita Bose, Country Director of Plan International Bangladesh, and Yasir Azman, CEO of Grameenphone. Special guests included Md. Aminul Haque, Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, and Kazi Moklesur Rahman, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The event also featured several beneficiaries sharing their inspiring stories. Brishti Goala from Lakkatura Tea Garden in Sylhet described how the project helped her learn online shopping and access government services. Niyasha Chowdhury Mim, a transgender woman from Narayanganj, expressed her gratitude for the project’s transformative impact on her life. Atikur Rahman, hearing and speech-impaired from Rajshahi, shared how the training helped him use the internet safely and manage his life better.
Khushi, a survivor of child marriage from Lalmonirhat, launched a successful online clothing business with e-commerce training from the project. Sheema Akhter Smriti, who had to discontinue her college education due to cancer, praised the initiative for teaching her about online bullying and harassment.
Yasir Azman, CEO of Grameenphone, emphasized the company’s commitment to fostering digital inclusion in Bangladesh, bridging gaps in digital literacy, and creating new opportunities for marginalized groups, particularly women and youth. Kabita Bose, Country Director of Plan International Bangladesh, stressed the importance of equipping young people with digital skills to thrive in today’s world.
Grameenphone continues to prioritize digital access for marginalized communities, aiming to close the digital divide and ensure that everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to succeed in the digital age.
