Poor women can earn after getting freelancing training online

Online training on freelancing for underprivileged women can make significant positive impact on their employment and income, according to a study by BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) unveiled Wednesday.
However, success in freelancing may be hindered by fierce competition in online marketplace that often results in loss of confidence, the study observed.
Besides, time constraints in learning and building their portfolio due to household responsibilities have also been identified as a problem in the country.
Findings of the study were disseminated at a workshop at the BRAC Centre Inn in the capital that discussed the ways forward to develop an inclusive and sustainable ecosystem for women freelancers in Bangladesh.
The mixed-method study evaluated the impact of a freelancing training programme conducted by CodersTrust Bangladesh (CTBD) targeting women aged between 18 to 35 years.
The programme, titled "Women's Skills Development for Freelancing Marketplaces", aims to develop 1,000 young underprivileged women into freelancers by providing them free training on different ICT-related skills.
To build the confidence of the trainees, the programme will also provide post-training technical mentorship and career advising support.
According to the study, women who received the training had a 28 per cent higher employment rate.
Besides, a 53 per cent increase in monthly income from both freelancing and non-freelancing sources was observed among the women receiving the training.
However, constraints such as lack of family support, access to digital devices and connectivity, language barriers, and lack of time drove many women to drop out of the training programme.
BIGD Executive Director Dr Imran Matin said youth unemployment is a ticking time bomb for Bangladesh which requires urgent attentions from the authorities concerned.
CTBD Country Director Ataul Gani Osmani said, "If you want to earn online, you must learn online."
BIGD Research Fellow Lopita Huq said, "We have to weigh the pros and cons before involving women in online freelancing in Bangladesh."

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