The document describes the Info Lady program in Bangladesh, which trains rural educated women to use information and communication technologies to provide services to households in their villages. As Info Ladies, the women are equipped with devices like netbooks and cameras loaded with local language content on livelihood and health topics. They visit households and conduct learning sessions on agriculture, government services, and income generation. A typical day involves two learning sessions and visits to 25-30 households, providing services and connecting people to relatives abroad. Info Ladies earn between $100-$300 per month and can save for future security. The model improves access to information, facilitates empowerment, and creates employment for rural women.

1. INFO LADY An innovative solution by D.Net, Bangladesh Email: infolady@dnet.org.bd

2. 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

3. Family Based Entrepreneurship Model for Rural Educated Women using ICTs Info Lady

4. 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

5. facilitate the maximum access and utilization of resources and enhance income of Info Lady Family Members assist Info Lady to her regular work

6. Info Lady is equipped with a netbook is loaded with local language livelihood content, internet modem, digital camera, printer, mobile phone ……

7. Info Lady is equipped with weight measurement machine, blood pressure machine, pregnancy related test kits, sugar test kit etc.

8. a bunch of services to the rural citizens at their door steps. Info Lady offer s

9. Telecenter (Pallitathya Kendra HUB) serve as their base station for training, guidance , business development, networking with grassroots service providers…..

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. Having set group members mind at ease, Info Lady is on her way to the next learning session

14. She also visits households and connects the rural citizens with their relatives in aboard using skypes or phones.

15. She sells products and services to the group members and individuals as well as buy products from them . Producers and consumers get fair price

16. She allocates a time for the children to show learning CDs with them.

17. This is a typical day in the life of Info Lady , a concept that has rapidly gained popularity in country and abroad.

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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.

21. Currently : 43 Info Ladies are working in Bangladesh What next: Around 40 thousand ICT based women entrepreneur development Across the country, Bangladesh

22. Thank You