From Margins to Mainstream

Infograph: TBS

In the quiet corners of Bangladesh — from tea gardens in Sylhet to alleys in Narayanganj, from flood-prone char regions to courtyard gatherings in rural towns — a silent transformation is taking root. It's powered not by machines, but by hope. At its heart is a simple but powerful idea: everyone deserves a safe, empowering digital space.

In an increasingly digital Bangladesh, knowing how to use the internet safely and meaningfully is no longer a luxury — it's a lifeline, a gateway to education, essential services, and livelihood opportunities. 

However, the benefits of connectivity do not reach everyone equally.

Photo: Courtesy

For many communities — tea garden workers, people with disabilities, the transgender community, girls and youth at risk of Child Early Forced Marriage (CEFM) and those living in climate-impacted or remote areas — access to the digital world is blocked not just by infrastructure, but by a lack of digital literacy and opportunities to learn, social stigma and safety concerns.

Opening digital doors for the left behind  

The initiative was born to bridge that gap. To bring the power of digital knowledge and opportunity to the people who need it most.

Launched in 2023, the Safe Digital Space for Girls and Youth Project — a joint effort by Plan International Bangladesh, Telenor, and Grameenphone — set out to bridge the digital divide for the country's most marginalised communities with a mission to improve digital knowledge, skills and safety. When the journey took shape, it wasn't built for the mainstream. It was crafted for those who usually don't make it into the frame — the tea pickers, the transgender youth, the girls dropping out of school, the children growing up on the streets, the families broken by climate disasters, and those with disabilities navigating a world not designed for them.

A digital awakening, a path to possibility 

By equipping these communities with digital skills, a door opens to knowledge, to income, to belonging. This transformation empowers people not just to access information, but to change their own stories - earn a living, speak up, and step into spaces they were once excluded from. To be seen. To be heard. And to shape not only their futures but also contribute meaningfully to Bangladesh's growing digital economy. 

Photo: Courtesy

Impact that goes beyond numbers

The impact has been breathtaking: as of 30 April 2025, over 3.3 million people have been educated and empowered with digital skills, opening new doors they never imagined possible. Behind each number is a voice, a dream, a family. Behind each session, a local facilitator — someone from their own community — patiently walked them through the digital world, in a language and rhythm they understood.

Adapting learning to fit lives and landscapes

Courtyard sessions, a culturally embedded learning space in rural Bangladesh, were held to create safe and familiar environments where girls and families could speak freely. Here, the internet was no longer something to fear — it became a tool to dream.

Eighty-four youth-led campaigns bloomed across the country, championing safe internet use and digital literacy in schools, on the streets, and in community halls. Five hundred local leaders — elders, teachers, religious figures — were engaged to anchor the work and ensure it lived beyond workshops and training.

And where roads couldn't go, the radio did. Carefully crafted programs sparked dialogue in distant corners, reaching an estimated 2.8 million listeners, many of whom had never heard themselves reflected in mainstream media before. It was entertaining, accessible, and most importantly, inclusive, reaching even those who couldn't read or write.

Not a campaign but a movement

This wasn't just a campaign — it was a movement built on trust. And it worked because it was layered, thoughtful, and deeply local.

This initiative began not with instruction, but with intention — to listen deeply, to learn, to understand, and to nurture change from within.

But real change doesn't come from one-off training. Trust was placed in young people, shaping them into digital ambassadors, and in respected community voices — elders, teachers, and influencers — who could carry the message forward in ways that felt authentic and embraced. 150 community facilitators were trained as long-term changemakers rooted in their own villages, towns, and neighbourhoods.  

And throughout it all, a keen ear for the community's voice drove our actions.

Impact isn't measured in attendance sheets — it's heard in stories, seen in everyday shifts, and felt in the confidence of someone who once felt invisible. A dynamic, responsive framework ensured that community voices are shaped at every step. Regular storytelling circles, feedback loops, and space for honest reflection. When communities spoke, the efforts adapted. When something wasn't working, the response evolved.

The outreach extended to communities that had been left behind. And in return, they reached back with curiosity, resilience, and with an unshakable hunger to learn. Because in the end, this isn't just about statistics. It's about dignity. The kind that grows when someone finally feels seen, connected, and in control of their own future.

Khushi: Breaking the cycle, one click at a time 

Khushi, a resilient young woman, lost her father when she was just a child and her elder brother in 2020. Her family struggled, and societal pressure mounted for her to marry young. But Khushi had a different plan. "I made a promise to myself: I'll study, and I'll stand on my 

own feet."

In 2023, Khushi joined the Safe Digital Space for Girls and Youth (SDSGY) project from Youth for Change Bangladesh as a community facilitator. Through this program, she received training in digital literacy, online safety and led awareness sessions in schools and communities. Inspired by the possibilities of e-commerce, Khushi and her sister launched an online clothing business. Now, she earns her own income and funds her own education. 

"This isn't just about learning digital skills. It's about rewriting our futures," she says.

Atikur: Silent, but no longer invisible 

Atikur cannot hear or speak — but today, he's navigating the digital world with confidence. "My friends participated in activities I couldn't join, and I didn't know where to start to build my future. I watched as others used mobile phones, unable to do the same. For a long time, I felt like the world wasn't made for someone like me," he shares.

After participating in a training session under the 'Safe Digital Space for Girls and Youth' project, organised by the Youth for Change Bangladesh Foundation, he acquired essential skills in using a mobile phone, applying to a university, ensuring online safety, and exploring the vast possibilities the internet offers.

"I'm thankful to Plan International Bangladesh and Grameenphone for giving me this opportunity. I believe more young people will benefit from such initiatives. Everyone deserves the chance to move forward. Technology gave me a voice," he says. "Now, I want others like me to believe in their future too."

Naisha: Finding dignity and digital defense

Naisha's journey has been anything but easy. A third-gender woman who faced rejection and abuse from a young age, she found stability through small jobs and training. Forced to leave her village while still in class four, she found shelter in a small slum dwelling with her aunt and cousins. Despite facing abuse at home and societal judgment, she pursued her education through an NGO school and completed her studies.

But it wasn't until she learned about digital safety through the training programme under the 'Safe Digital Space for Girls and Youth' (SDSGY) project, organised by Youth for Change Bangladesh, Plan International Bangladesh, and Grameenphone, that she felt truly empowered. Through this initiative, she learned how to protect herself online and expand her business digitally. 

"I was harassed online and didn't know what to do," she recalls. "Now, I protect myself, grow my business, and help others do the same. The internet used to feel like a threat. Today, it's my platform."

Brishti: From tea leaves to touchscreens

In the lush tea gardens of Sylhet, 24-year-old Brishti discovered a new world through the internet. With support from the Reliant Women Development Organisation (RWDO) and the Safe Digital Space for Girls and Youth (SDSGY) initiative, she acquired skills in safe internet usage, mobile banking, and accessing government services online. 

​"Empowered by the digital skills I acquired, I began ordering essentials like food and clothing online for my family. Recognising the broader potential, I now conduct digital literacy sessions in the Lakkatura and Malnicherra tea gardens," she says with pride. 

This journey not only provides me with a livelihood but also instils confidence. For the first time, our tea garden community is connected to digital government services, marking a significant step towards inclusivity and empowerment."

With her newfound skills in mobile banking, e-commerce, and accessing government services, Brishti became a bridge for her community, helping people get voter IDs, register births, and connect to essential services, many for the very first time.

Smriti: More than a survivor, safeguarded and strong

Smriti, hailing from Gaibandha, has been battling cancer since 2022. The illness compelled her to halt her studies and stay home. In search of solace during this challenging period, she turned to Radio Sarabela and engaged with social media platforms. However, what began as comfort soon turned 

distressing.

"I faced online scams, bullying, and even had my account hacked. It was through Radio Sarabela's programs, supported by Plan International Bangladesh and Grameenphone, that I learned how to protect myself online. Their guidance gave me strength when I needed it most."

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