Generational Change in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is witnessing a generational change as the country of 169 million heads towards new general elections on Sunday. Political battles in Bangladesh have been fought in the streets for decades, led by two powerful women. However, there are signs of generational change as the rapidly growing economy in South Asia is benefiting from an emerging tech industry, an active e-commerce sector, and a growing public digital infrastructure. This is helping to harness a tech-savvy workforce that demands change from politicians.
Youth Demands
Youth voters are calling for a break from the extreme political culture and are concerned about democratic rights. They hope to exercise their right to vote freely and ensure freedom of expression and an independent functioning judiciary. Youth aged 18 to 30 make up about a third of the registered voters in the country. According to a survey conducted by the Bangladesh Citizens’ Platform for Sustainable Development Goals, 69% of young people in Bangladesh view corruption and nepotism as the major obstacles to the country’s development.
Technological Developments in Bangladesh
The telecommunications revolution in Bangladesh began in 1997 when the current Prime Minister granted free licenses to three operators to run the mobile phone sector. This was a major opportunity for global companies to invest in one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The government claims it has spent millions of dollars to transform a network of 8,500 rural post offices into electronic centers for local communities. New startups are being funded by Silicon Valley investors, and mobile money transfers have become popular. Most of the country’s 4 million garment workers, the majority of whom are women, use SMS money transfer apps to help their families in rural areas.
Future Challenges
As digital infrastructure grows in Bangladesh, there are concerns about the controversial digital security law enacted in 2018 and recently replaced by a Cyber Security Law. The government argues these laws are needed to combat misinformation, hacking, and attempts to undermine individual rights. Critics and human rights activists have condemned the former law for being used by the government to suppress dissenting views and freedom of expression. They argue that the new Cyber Security Law is unlikely to make much of a difference. In March, a journalist from a leading newspaper was arrested for allegedly spreading false news under the law.
Future Aspirations
Despite the challenges, digital development in Bangladesh attracts youth. These young people are considered the digital dreamers of Bangladesh. Tech entrepreneur Achia Nila states that technology is crucial in her daily life and helps her connect with customers and the international market. Ahead of Sunday’s elections, Nila urged political parties to stop fighting and instead focus on working together for a better Bangladesh. She warns that youth may feel disillusioned by corruption and bureaucracy, and might prefer to emigrate to other countries for better opportunities.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/bangladesh-digital-hasina-election-07c68aeae7fe2a799f929c689dbc2c2d
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