Dialogue in Dhaka addresses rising technology-facilitated violence against women

Around 3.3 million women in Bangladesh experienced selected forms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence in the past year, prompting renewed calls for safer digital spaces for women and girls.

Online harassment, stalking, impersonation and image-based abuse continue to silence women’s voices and restrict their participation in digital platforms, speakers said during a dialogue held this week in Dhaka.

The High Commission of Canada to Bangladesh and the Australian High Commission in Bangladesh hosted the discussion in partnership with the British High Commission Dhaka, the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka, and the Embassy of the Netherlands in Bangladesh.

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The organisers arranged the dialogue with technical support from the UNFPA Bangladesh and UN Women Bangladesh, while Bonhishikha – Unlearn Gender facilitated the event.

Government representatives, civil society members, technology sector actors and young leaders joined the discussion. Participants shared experiences and explored practical steps to strengthen protection for women and girls online.

Speakers stressed that governments, digital platforms, communities and individual users must take collective action to create safe and inclusive online spaces where women and girls can learn, lead and participate without fear.