Uddokta: Creating market based economic opportunities for women
Shujog.xyz of iSocial created a network of women micro-entrepreneurs in Sylhet region . Total 244 number of women micro entrepreneurs have been developed with training and connecting to supply chain and credit services.
Project timeline:
Feb, 2021 – Aug, 2021
Partners:
- iDE
Project objective:
“Uddokta Project” attempts to improve the lives of the local community by providing Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) products, as well as support local farmers and ag input providers while empowering women by providing them a channel for sustainable income.
Following the project, iSocial has started to carry out this project in selected Upazila of Sylhet. As a part of the project activity, iSocial has conducted a quick needs assessment survey in the project area to understand the demand, variability and sustainability of the business model.
The primary objective of this “Uddokta Project” by iSocial (likely in collaboration with another entity, though not explicitly named as a joint project objective here) is to establish a network of Women Sales Agents (WSAs) as entrepreneurs in selected communities, enabling them to deliver essential products and services, particularly focusing on promoting nutritious food consumption and creating awareness about nutrition and healthy lifestyles among non-school going adolescents and their families.
- This objective also implicitly includes:
- Providing income-generating opportunities for local women.
- Building the WSAs’ identity as “Social Change Makers” in their communities.
- Developing WSAs’ skills in entrepreneurship, digital app usage (“Shujog”), sales mechanisms, and customer relationship management.
Project Outcome:
- Need Assessment Conducted: A quick need assessment was conducted to identify customer and farmer preferences, prospective product baskets, customer dynamics, influencing factors for end-customers, and inform stock management and logistics.
- Local Hub Established: A local hub operation office was established in collaboration with Shimantik, a local NGO, facilitating field implementation and supply chain management.
- Stakeholder Engagement Workshops Held: Two stakeholder engagement workshops were conducted in Sylhet Sadar and Nabiganj to mobilize local influential and relevant stakeholders (e.g., Union Chairmen, government officers, community respected persons) to create linkages between WSAs, the community, and officials.
- Promotional Campaigns Executed: Promotional campaigns (sticker campaigns, leaflet distribution, yard sessions) were conducted to introduce the WSA model to the community and help WSAs build an identity as “Social Change Makers.”
- Women Sales Agents (WSA) Selected and Recruited: Three selection workshops were hosted, leading to the recruitment and onboarding of 50 WSAs (with 10 additional WSAs recruited to fill gaps from dropouts), based on eligibility criteria.
- Face-to-Face Training Conducted for WSAs: A 4-day face-to-face training program was conducted for 51 WSAs in Sylhet Sadar and Nabiganj, covering project introduction, entrepreneurship, product basket knowledge, digital platform (“Shujog”) usage, sales mechanisms, profit calculation, and customer relationship management.
- E-Learning Platform (“Shujog Learn”) in Development: An online platform, “Shujog Learn,” is being developed to provide training through video tutorials and online chat, with video content already prepared.
- Adolescent Nutrition Pledges: A total of 8,120 non-school going adolescents understood nutritional benefits and pledged to consume nutritious foods.
- Increased Community Awareness on Nutrition: The campaign and WSA activities led to increased awareness among rural people and their families about malnutrition, its effects, and the importance of consuming nutritious food.
- Improved Adolescent Food Habits: Adolescents changed their food habits from junk food to nutritious food, leading to increased activity, better health, and a realization of the importance of healthy eating for overall well-being.
- Identified Deficits in Nutrition Value Chain: The project helped in identifying deficits in the nutritional value chain.
Locations the project served:
- Sylhet
- Habiganj
- Jashore (for field visit and impact monitoring)
- Sirajganj (for workshop participant location)
- Sherpur (for workshop participant location)
- Upazilas/Areas within Districts:
- Sylhet Sadar (under Sylhet district)
- Nabiganj (under Habiganj district)
Impact:
- Social Change through Women Entrepreneurs: WSAs become recognized as “Social Change Makers” in their communities, contributing to social development.
- Empowered Women Entrepreneurs: WSAs gain entrepreneurial mindset, digital skills, and practical sales experience, enabling them to run their businesses effectively and sustainably.
- Improved Community Health and Well-being: Enhanced nutritional understanding and changes in food habits contribute to the improved health and well-being of non-school going adolescents and their families.
- Reduced Malnutrition: Increased awareness and adoption of nutritious food consumption contribute to efforts to reduce malnutrition, particularly among adolescents.
- Sustainable Behavioral Change: The project fostered sustainable nutrition habits among participants, indicating a lasting positive change in the community.
- Enhanced Service Delivery at Last Mile: The WSA network provides essential products and services at the doorstep, improving access for underserved rural households.
- Resilience in Project Implementation: Despite strict COVID-19 restrictions, the project successfully achieved its targets, demonstrating effective contingency planning and strategies.
- Foundation for Future Awareness Programs: The positive results and pledges from adolescents create a strong foundation for future phases of nutrition awareness programs.