Women’s Reform: Rural Women’s Information Service Project “Info Apa” Shut Down

Staff Reporter

The Yunus government has decided to shut down the “Info Apa” project, which was launched to provide information services to underprivileged rural women across six sectors: health, education, agriculture, law, gender, business, family planning, and cybersecurity.

In June of this year, orders were issued to completely terminate the project’s operations, leaving nearly 1,968 male and female employees across 492 upazilas unemployed and facing financial hardship.

Launched in April 2017 under the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs through the National Women’s Organization, the project aimed to empower rural women through information technology. It had established information centers in 492 upazilas, offering grassroots-level information and counseling services to women. Each center employed one information service officer (10th grade), two information service assistants (16th grade), and one office assistant (20th grade).

However, the recent government directive has ordered employees to vacate their workplaces and shut down offices. Despite earlier promises to transfer jobs to the revenue sector, no such action has been taken.

Even without considering a pending writ petition in the High Court, the decision has been enforced, leaving employees frustrated and disillusioned.

Project employees stated that they were recruited through competitive exams in November 2018. However, since the Yunus government took office, months of unpaid salaries have already pushed them into financial distress.

Since May 27, they have been staging a sit-in protest in front of the National Press Club, demanding permanent absorption into the revenue sector and payment of overdue salaries and allowances. After 23 days of protests, the government has yet to provide any concrete solution.

Adviser to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Sharmin S Murshid, held talks with the protesters but could not guarantee their transfer to the revenue sector. She stated, “I cannot make this promise. Multiple ministries are involved. It’s a time-consuming process.”

While she urged protesters to withdraw their agitation and return to work, the employees remain steadfast in their demands.

Sangita Sarkar, president of the protest steering committee, said, “We’ve been on the streets for 23 days. Our protest will continue until our two-point demand is met.” She added that while the government claims to be extending the project’s tenure by one year, this does not address their demands.

Experts warn that shutting down the project will deprive rural women of access to information technology and services, creating a major obstacle to their empowerment. Additionally, the unemployment and financial crisis faced by nearly 2,500 employees could negatively impact the country’s economy and social stability.

Meanwhile, leaders from various political parties have expressed solidarity with the protesters and urged the government to resolve the issue quickly. However, the lack of concrete government action has further complicated the situation.

Info Apa employees have warned that if their demands are not met, they will escalate their protests in the coming days. This situation not only shatters the dream of empowering rural women but also threatens the livelihoods of thousands of families.