The AfterAccess surveys on access to and use of ICTs, which included a Bangladesh component, were declared global winner of the EQUALSinTech research category Award in New York City recently, according to a statement.
The Bangladesh field work was conducted in October-November, 2017.
"We are honoured to have our work recognised by the EQUALS Global Partnership," said lead AfterAccess researcher for Asia, Helani Galpaya, CEO of regional ICT policy think-tank LIRNEasia.
"The Bangladesh-specific results will be released in Dhaka on October 2, 2018, and we trust that policymakers and industry stakeholders will use this data to inform their policies and actions towards reducing the gender gap in access to and use of ICTs in Bangladesh."
AfterAccess is a series of nationally-representative surveys based on 38,005 interviews of households and individuals in 18 countries (with more being added) in the Global South. The research covers key issues related to access and use of mobile phones and the Internet and uses the same methodology in all the countries.
The EQUALS Global Partnership is a global network, working toward bridging the digital gender gap by bring women to tech and tech to women.
The EQUALSinTech Award is the annual flagship event of the partnership, which recognises "outstanding projects and initiatives around the world that are helping women and girls become EQUALSinTech".
AfterAccess was one of 22 finalists in four award categories (Access, Leadership, Skills, Research) selected from over 350 nominees across the globe.
AfterAccess, led by DIRSI in Latin America, LIRNEasiain Asia and Research ICT Africa in Africa, has been recognized by the EQUALS Global Partnership for its contribution to addressing the gender gap in the Global South.
The data collected provides robust evidence ofgender disparities in access to and use of ICTs not only in Bangladesh, but also Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and the Global South as a whole.
The research not only measures the gender gap but also examines the nuances of use, barriers, etc. to enable evidence-based policymaking.
It is the most comprehensive database on mobile phone and Internet access and use in the Global South.
AfterAccess is funded through grants from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, the Ford Foundation, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Department for International Development (DFID), UK.
