Multipurpose community telecentres in Bangladesh: problems and prospects

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to discuss multipurpose community information and knowledge centres (MCTs) and then describes and assesses the telecommunication facilities (and hence information access and provision) of such telecentres in Bangladesh including radio, television, telephone and internet facilities. The paper then highlights problems and prospects, in rural areas of Bangladesh, of information access through the telecentres. Design/methodology/approach -The paper is based on a review of literature collected through the internet, personal visits and other secondary sources such as research reports and articles. Findings -The paper highlights the existing MCT initiatives in rural Bangladesh and discusses their problems and prospects. Originality/value -The paper is one of the very few studies which focuses on the prospects of MCTs for rural Bangladesh, particularly as regards information and knowledge access and provision, and proposes future directions for the development of MCTs in Bangladesh.

Uses, benefits and challenges of using rural community telecentres as tools for development: the Case of Vikwa Community Telecentre in Kasungu, Malawi

“…MCTs offer different services to different groups within the communities that they serve. Their services mainly include telephone, fax, e-mail, Internet access, word processing and photocopy, training on the use of these technologies and library (Islam & Hasan, 2009;Jensen & Esterhuysen, 2001;Rose, 1999). Telecentres may be established by individuals or by governments as projects of national agency.…”

“…However, having many people with low income levels as users of telecentres is a good development since telecentres target the disadvantaged communities where individuals cannot afford ICTs (Mbangala & Samzugi, 2014;Islam & Hasan, 2009). There are mixed findings on educational levels of users.…”

“…Many developing countries are establishing these facilities in rural areas. This is mainly attributed to the fact that in many developing countries, the large percentage of the population lives in rural areas where individual access to ICTs and information is limited (Gcora, Gopen, Tuswa, Lwoga & Chigona, 2015;Islam & Hasan, 2009). Their income levels are also low mostly depending on agriculture, fishing and small-scale businesses (Isaacs, 2007;Rose, 1999).…”

“…Their income levels are also low mostly depending on agriculture, fishing and small-scale businesses (Isaacs, 2007;Rose, 1999). Therefore, in these communities, telecentres are established aiming at empowering citizens and improving the social and economic development of the areas (Bailey, 2009;Islam & Hasan, 2009). Telecentres are being considered as tools for development for the numerous roles that they play in the field of development.…”

Gender and Public Access Computing: An International Perspective

“…As more people in developing countries become exposed to this information, there is a growing potential for social transformation and a realization of gender equality. Islam and Hasan (2009) suggest that the education and awareness within rural populations that result from women's increased use of telecenters in Bangladesh could reduce "social harassment, particularly of women, like superstition, dowry (property given at marriage), child marriage, polygamy, throwing acid on women, women torture, etc". Additionally, the Nepal country report highlights the country's sex trafficking problem: "Girls' trafficking is a serious issue in Nepal, especially in the rural areas as most of the girls are lured by the prospect of a nice job in a foreign land.…”