¶¶Òõ¾«Æ·

IN AN era increasingly shaped by technology, Bangladesh’s digital sphere has evolved beyond a means of communication into a critical arena where identity, livelihood and expression converge. Yet, for many women and girls, this space has become perilous. Online platforms, intended to connect, are now frequently weaponised for harassment, exploitation and abuse. From unsolicited messages and doctored images to character assassination and threats of sexual violence, the digital realm is a site where women’s dignity, safety and autonomy are routinely undermined.

This is far from an isolated concern. The issue is expanding rapidly, driven by the widespread availability of smartphones, the cloak of online anonymity and the lagging pace of legal intervention. Women from diverse backgrounds — students, journalists, public figures, activists and homemakers — are increasingly subjected to online bullying, blackmail, surveillance and identity theft. These incidents often lead to more than just temporary distress. Many face social exclusion, academic setbacks, career disruption and in the most tragic cases, suicide.

What makes this crisis more insidious is the normalisation of such abuse. Blame is frequently redirected towards the victim. Families often advise silence rather than action. Friends look away. Law enforcement agencies, either ill-equipped or indifferent, frequently dismiss complaints without investigation. In socially conservative environments, the fear of ‘bringing shame’ can be more potent than the pursuit of justice. This silence emboldens perpetrators and perpetuates a culture of impunity.

A 2023 report by a prominent digital rights organisation in Bangladesh found that nearly 70 per cent of women internet users had encountered some form of online harassment. The abuse was most commonly experienced on platforms like Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp and TikTok. Many respondents reported threats involving the release of private photos or videos, often manipulated or captured without consent. Others were subjected to digital stalking, hate speech, or so-called ‘revenge porn’ for merely voicing opinions.

The psychological effects of this persistent abuse are devastating. Victims often retreat from digital and public spaces, deactivate social media accounts, change phone numbers, or even relocate to escape further targeting. This withdrawal curtails not just personal freedom and expression but also hinders access to education, employment and civic participation — all increasingly mediated through digital platforms.

Yet, despite the scale and severity of this issue, Bangladesh’s legal apparatus remains ill-equipped to respond effectively. Existing legislation has rarely functioned as a protective tool for women. Instead, it has often been deployed to suppress dissent and punish critical speech. For many women, seeking legal recourse means encountering disbelief, victim-blaming and bureaucratic inertia. Cases frequently go unrecorded and successful prosecutions are rare.

There is also a glaring lack of gender-sensitive mechanisms in digital governance. Most police stations lack trained female officers capable of handling cybercrime. There are few dedicated helplines or services tailored to the needs of women facing online abuse. As a result, many victims do not know where to turn. And those who do are often discouraged by the prospect of an arduous, dehumanising legal process.

Beyond institutional failure, prevailing social attitudes exacerbate the problem. Women who post photos, express political views, or even just maintain a visible digital presence are routinely told to ‘stay quiet’ or ‘stay off the internet.’ This implies that access to digital spaces is not a fundamental right but a conditional privilege, one that can be revoked if women fail to conform to narrow expectations of invisibility and silence. Such narratives reinforce patriarchal control and erode women’s digital citizenship.

It must be clearly stated: digital rights are human rights. Women have every right to occupy and participate in online spaces without fear of harassment or censorship. The responsibility for ensuring safety cannot be placed solely on women to shield themselves. It must rest with society, to hold offenders accountable, to reshape public attitudes and to reform institutions that fail to protect. Just as we do not question a victim of physical assault for walking down a street, we must not question a woman’s right to be visible and vocal online.

Addressing this issue requires a coordinated, multi-pronged strategy. First, cyber laws must be reformed and modernised with a focus on user protection, particularly for women and other vulnerable groups. Legislation must provide clear definitions of online harassment, establish stringent penalties for non-consensual image distribution and enable swift, survivor-focused redress. Confidentiality, sensitivity and procedural efficiency must guide the legal process.

Second, law enforcement must be strengthened through targeted capacity-building. Cybercrime units with trained female personnel should be established in every district. Officers must be educated in handling digital abuse with competence and compassion. Public awareness campaigns should accompany these reforms, encouraging victims to report and promoting digital ethics, consent and respectful online conduct.

Third, education systems must play a foundational role. From school through university, curricula should incorporate digital literacy and online safety. Young people of all genders need to understand the ethical and legal implications of their digital behaviour. Long-term cultural change begins in classrooms, where norms of mutual respect and digital responsibility can take root.

Fourth, technology companies must also be held accountable. Platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube must enhance their moderation practices in local languages, improve tools for reporting abuse, and ensure their algorithms do not amplify harmful content. There is scope for collaborative efforts between the government and tech companies to design region-specific safety features and policies.

Fifth, civil society organisations are vital in filling the gaps. Women’s rights groups, digital rights advocates, mental health professionals, and NGOs must be supported in offering legal aid, psychological counselling and digital security training. Practical support mechanisms, such as safe reporting platforms, helplines and peer support networks, can make a tangible difference in empowering survivors.

It is imperative to understand that online safety is not a niche concern or a ‘women’s issue.’ It is a national issue, central to our vision of a smart, inclusive and equitable digital Bangladesh. If women are driven offline through fear and intimidation, we are not creating a progressive digital society; we are reinforcing a segregated one.

Ìý

Md Mehedi Hasan holds a CPA from the Cambridge Academy of Professionals.