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By Women In Digital

Last Modified : January 24, 2022 - 4:59 am

UNDP WOMEN’S DIGITAL INNOVATION HACKATHON

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UNDP WOMEN'S DIGITAL INNOVATION HACKATHON

UNDP Women's Digital Innovation Hackathon is open to Bangladeshi female students, young professionals, and entrepreneurs who are keen to take part in an innovation marathon, learn new work-life skills, and co-create digital solutions to solve real-life challenges, all with the support of amazing international mentors. This is a great opportunity to network, make new connections, and develop your skills by forming multi-discipline teams and creating sustainable solutions together. No coding skills are required to participate.

BACKGROUND INFO

The hackathon will take place online between 1st - 3rd July 2021. You should apply as a team of 2-5 persons and submit a digital solution idea to the 2 Hackathon tracks. Note: Application is open to only females from Bangladesh including students currently enrolled in a university program, recent graduates, young professionals, and entrepreneurs aged 18 - 35 years.

Join the hackathon support Facebook group here to already begin networking, sharing ideas, and building teams.

CHALLENGES

TRACK 1: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Technologies like the Internet of Things, location-based services, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, and blockchain technology, can make our societies more efficient, inclusive, economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable when utilized properly. Within this Digital Transformation track, we welcome participants to explore digital ideas and solutions that will positively contribute to Bangladesh's progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in the areas of education, finance, healthcare, agriculture, business, and public services.

In education, virtual learning and learning management system have revolutionized access to quality education and provided students with a personalized learning experience.
Digital finance allows residents in remote areas and underserved backgrounds to receive financial services and advance their livelihood.
Digitalization has also enabled healthcare services to reach remote patients. Non-severe patients can now monitor their health and even take care of themselves from home.
Agriculture remains a backbone for civilization. Digitally transforming agriculture not only helps us harvest food in greater quantity and quality but also minimizes impacts on the environment through more efficient and effective practices.

All in all, digital transformation holds great potential for making progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP Bangladesh Accelerator Lab is calling you, the future generation of female tech leaders, to co-create the future of Bangladesh!

TRACK 2: SMART CITY

A smart sustainable city is an innovative city that uses ICTs and other means to improve the quality of life, the efficiency of urban operation and services while ensuring that it meets the needs of present and future generations. Bangladesh is home to Dhaka, one of the world's megacities. Our growing population is a major challenge to support healthy and vibrant communities and our buildings, roads, water, energy, communication, education, and transportation systems must become more efficient. Technologies like IoT, sensors, mobile applications, and control systems, and an increase in connected devices, offer enormous opportunities to connect, improve, and innovate urban systems. To gather creative ideas from Bangladeshi female residents and citizens, the second track welcomes participants to come up with digital solutions that can make our cities more liveable. We are looking for ideas around 3 core areas:

Managing core infrastructures such as energy, water, and waste, and supporting smart buildings through IoTs and sensors.
Improving access to urban services, such as financial access, social services, housing, emergency services, and solving mobility issues, such as parking and traffic jams. The ideas can also target women's safety and participation in society in specific.
Generating sustainable employment in cities, increasing the employability of jobseekers, helping citizens educate themselves and acquire new skills and knowledge, developing matchmaking solution that links the interests of young people with companies, and making cultural experiences a greater digital experience.

ABOUT UNDP WOMEN'S DIGITAL INNOVATION HACKATHON

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations though sustainable, innovative, and community-based development projects. Since 1972, UNDP and its partners have helped Bangladesh make critical advances in the areas of governance, poverty reduction, climate change, and disaster resilience. Communities are made stronger by our partnerships and assistance.

The gender digital divide is an important challenge in Bangladesh as gender inequalities exist in access to information and communication technologies (ICT) and digital skills, which affects women's educational and employment opportunities. UNDP Bangladesh Accelerator Lab encourages a series of actions related to Rights, Education, Access, Content, and Targets (REACT) to close the gender divide and ensure that the full power of ICT is harnessed by women, putting them at the forefront of achieving the SDGs. UNDP Women's Digital Innovation Hackathon is one of several programs being rolled out by the UNDP Bangladesh Accelerator Lab as part of its commitment to reducing the gender digital divide.