Overview

The Her Power Project is a national initiative by the ICT Division of Bangladesh aimed at empowering underprivileged rural women to become self-sufficient through digital skill development. As one of the training partners, Riseup Labs trained 960 women across 12 upazilas in Sirajganj and Rajshahi, focusing on high-demand freelancing skills and providing intensive mentorship support to prepare participants for sustainable digital careers under Her Power’s Women Freelancer Program.

Objective

The project aims to equip underprivileged rural women with high-demand digital skills to help them become self-sufficient through freelancing.

  • Empower rural women, especially those with limited financial means or access to education, through free digital skills training.
  • Offer practical instruction in globally in-demand skills like graphic design, digital marketing, and web development.
  • Promote freelancing as a flexible, culturally acceptable career path for women in reserved or conservative communities.
  • Equip women to work from home, respecting socio-cultural norms while creating financial independence.
  • Create a structured and mentor-driven learning model that fosters long-term confidence and employability.
  • Break geographic and cultural barriers by connecting women to local and global freelancing markets for sustainable income.
  • Support national goals of inclusive development and digital literacy for marginalized women.

Impact of the Women Freelancer Program

The Women Freelancer Program of Her Power Project empowered women from rural areas of Bangladesh to start earning from home and build sustainable careers in the digital economy.

  • Underprivileged women trained with job-ready digital skills, many of whom had never used a computer before.
  • Several participants began securing freelance jobs during the training phase, earning early income and gaining motivation.
  • Participants gained confidence in navigating online platforms and digital workspaces.
  • Created first-time female earners within many families, shifting financial dynamics in conservative households.
  • Helped reshape community perceptions about women working in tech or earning digitally.
  • Created a ripple effect, inspiring other women in similar communities to consider freelancing.

Riseup Labs’ Contribution

  • Provided dedicated and supportive trainers who guided each woman step-by-step.
  • The training partners helped women set up accounts on global and local marketplaces like Fiverr, Upwork, and Facebook Marketplace, guiding them through profile creation, service presentation, and client communication strategies. Also, ensured that the training was market-relevant and aligned with current freelancing demands, both locally and globally.
  • Created a nurturing environment for women with no prior ICT experience to thrive confidently.

Program Implementation & Field Coordination

  • Successfully executed the program across 12 upazilas, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.
  • Managed local training centers, ensured consistent attendance, and maintained a women-friendly environment.
  • Coordinated closely with government officials and local authorities to align with project standards and ensure smooth laptop handover and post-training readiness for productivity.

Certificate Giving and Closing Ceremony

A closing and certificate distribution ceremony was held in Sirajganj to honor the achievements of the women trained by Riseup Labs under the Her Power project. The event marked not just the completion of training but the start of new digital careers for these rural women.

Representatives from the ICT Division and Riseup Labs congratulated the participants for their dedication and progress. With certificates in hand, skills gained, and laptops ready, these women now step forward as confident freelancers, ready to rise and shine in both local and global digital marketplaces.

This page was last edited on 11 September 2025, at 3:34 pm