Building a Vibrant Community of Female Small Business Owners in Kurigram District through the Power of E-commerce

Dotlines Bangladesh Limited, in collaboration with Christian Aid, is implementing an 18-month initiative in the Kurigram district of Bangladesh under the Inclusive Social Fund (ISF) project. The total value of the contract is BDT 8,050,000, with contributions from both Christian Aid and Dotlines. The project is specifically designed to empower economically inactive or underactive women by equipping them with digital tools and skills that open doors to income-generating opportunities within the growing digital economy.

At the heart of the initiative is the establishment of 20 Wi-Fi hubs across targeted areas in Kurigram. These hubs provide reliable internet connectivity through broadband access, which is made available via scratch cards. Dotlines is responsible for selecting suitable sites, installing fiber optic cables, setting up the necessary equipment, and ensuring continued maintenance and branding of the hubs throughout the duration of the project.

To complement access to connectivity, the project includes a robust training component focused on digital literacy and e-commerce. A total of 580 women have received digital literacy training, gaining the foundational knowledge necessary to navigate the internet effectively and utilize it for personal and professional purposes. In addition, 150 women have been trained in e-commerce, learning how to build, manage, and grow online businesses that can provide sustainable sources of income. These training sessions were conducted using materials developed in Bengali, ensuring accessibility and relevance for the participants, while Christian Aid supported the logistical arrangements.

The project is a strong example of collaborative impact, with Dotlines managing the technical and training implementation and Christian Aid handling logistics and community coordination. Together, they aim to foster an inclusive digital environment where rural women are not just connected, but also capable of contributing to and benefiting from Bangladesh’s digital and economic growth.