Legal Aid for Preventing Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is currently undergoing a profound digital transformation that is reshaping governance, public service delivery, economic activity, education, and social interaction.

 The rapid expansion of information and communication technologies (ICTs), increased internet penetration, widespread smartphone use, and the digitization of government services have created unprecedented opportunities for development. Digital platforms have improved access to information, enhanced citizen participation, facilitated innovation, and expanded opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. As Bangladesh advances toward its vision of a smart and knowledge-based society, digital technologies are increasingly becoming integral to national development strategies.

However, the benefits of digitalization have been accompanied by new and complex risks. Among the most pressing challenges is Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), a growing form of abuse that exploits digital technologies to harass, intimidate, threaten, exploit, and silence individuals, particularly women and girls. While digital technologies have created new opportunities for empowerment and participation, they have also generated new avenues for discrimination and violence. Consequently, ensuring digital safety and access to justice has become a critical policy priority.

TFGBV refers to acts of violence committed, assisted, aggravated, or amplified using digital technologies. Such violence may include cyberstalking, cyberbullying, online harassment, doxxing, image-based abuse, identity theft, non-consensual sharing of intimate content, impersonation, blackmail, hate speech, digital surveillance, and other forms of online intimidation. These acts not only violate individual rights but also undermine democratic participation, freedom of expression, and gender equality.

The global scale of the problem is alarming. According to international studies, millions of women experience online violence every year. A report published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in 2024 revealed that nearly two out of every three women globally have encountered some form of technology-facilitated violence during their lifetime. The consequences often extend beyond the digital environment, affecting physical safety, psychological well-being, social relationships, educational opportunities, and economic participation.

The situation in Bangladesh reflects broader global trends while presenting unique local challenges. Research indicates that approximately 89 percent of women and girls in Bangladesh have experienced some form of technology-facilitated abuse. Many victims encounter online harassment at a young age, often between the ages of 9 and 14. Young women between the ages of 18 and 30 remain particularly vulnerable. Female students, young professionals, journalists, activists, and women engaged in public life frequently face coordinated online attacks aimed at intimidating or silencing them.

One of the most concerning aspects of TFGBV is underreporting. A significant majority of victims do not disclose their experiences to family members, employers, educational institutions, or law enforcement agencies. Fear of social stigma, victim blaming, reputational damage, and concerns regarding privacy discourage many survivors from seeking support. As a result, the true magnitude of the problem often remains hidden, limiting opportunities for intervention and justice.

Evidence from Police Cyber Support for Women demonstrates the growing prevalence of cyber-enabled abuse. Thousands of women seek support annually regarding online harassment, hacking, blackmail, impersonation, cyberbullying, and privacy violations. Doxxing—the malicious publication of personal information without consent—has emerged as a particularly serious threat. Such practices expose victims to both online and offline risks, including harassment, threats, and physical harm. The impact of TFGBV extends far beyond individual victims. Online abuse restricts women’s participation in digital spaces and weakens their ability to exercise fundamental rights.

Women who experience online harassment often reduce their presence on social media platforms, limit professional engagement, avoid expressing opinions, or withdraw from leadership roles. This exclusion has broader implications for democracy, innovation, and economic growth. A nation cannot fully realize its development potential while a substantial portion of its population feels unsafe participating in digital environments.

 Technology-facilitated violence also affects mental health. Victims frequently experience anxiety, depression, stress, fear, isolation, and loss of self-confidence. Persistent harassment can interfere with educational attainment, professional advancement, and personal relationships. For younger users, the psychological consequences may be particularly severe, affecting long-term development and well-being.

Importantly, TFGBV is not limited to individuals who actively use digital technologies. Women who do not personally own smartphones or use social media can still become victims through unauthorized sharing of photographs, misuse of personal information, identity fraud, or digitally enabled surveillance. This reality highlights the interconnected nature of online and offline harms and demonstrates that technology-facilitated violence is ultimately a broader social and human rights issue. The drivers of TFGBV are rooted in existing gender inequalities. Digital technologies often amplify discriminatory attitudes and unequal power relations already present in society. Online abuse is therefore not simply a technological challenge; it is also a manifestation of structural inequalities, social norms, and discriminatory practices. Effective responses must therefore address both technological vulnerabilities and underlying gender-based discrimination.

Bangladesh has taken several important steps to strengthen digital governance and cybersecurity. Various legal instruments provide avenues for addressing online abuse, including the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, the Pornography Control Act, and the Cyber Security Act. These laws establish important protection and enable authorities to investigate and prosecute certain forms of digital misconduct. Nevertheless, legal and institutional gaps remain. One of the key challenges is the lack of a comprehensive, universally understood legal definition of TFGBV. Many forms of online abuse fall within broader legal categories, making it difficult to develop specialized procedures, collect reliable data, and ensure consistent responses. A clearer legal framework would strengthen prevention, reporting, investigation, prosecution, and victim support mechanisms. Access to justice remains another significant concern. Many survivors face barriers when attempting to report incidents or pursue legal remedies. Legal procedures may appear complex and intimidating, particularly for individuals unfamiliar with digital evidence requirements. Victims often struggle to preserve screenshots, chat histories, web links, and other forms of digital evidence that may be essential during investigations and judicial proceedings.

Institutional capacity is equally important. Law enforcement officers, prosecutors, legal aid providers, judges, and other stakeholders require specialized training to understand the technical dimensions of TFGBV. Effective investigation of cyber-enabled crimes demands expertise in digital forensics, evidence preservation, cybersecurity, and victim-centered approaches. Without adequate training and resources, investigations may be delayed or compromised. The role of legal aid institutions is particularly significant. Legal aid services provide essential support for individuals who may otherwise be unable to access justice due to financial, social, or procedural barriers. In cases involving TFGBV, legal aid providers can assist survivors in understanding their rights, filing complaints, preserving evidence, navigating legal processes, and accessing additional support services.

Strengthening district-level legal aid mechanisms should therefore be considered a national priority. Legal aid offices need clear mandates, operational guidelines, and adequate resources to address TFGBV effectively. Integrating technology-facilitated violence into routine legal aid services would enhance accessibility and ensure that survivors receive timely assistance. Multi-stakeholder collaboration is also critical. No single institution can effectively address TFGBV in isolation. Government agencies, law enforcement bodies, legal aid providers, civil society organizations, educational institutions, technology companies, media organizations, and community leaders all have important roles to play. Coordinated action can improve prevention efforts, strengthen victim support, and promote accountability.

Public awareness remains one of the most powerful tools for prevention. Many individuals remain unaware of the risks associated with digital technologies, the forms of abuse that constitute TFGBV, and the mechanisms available for seeking assistance. Nationwide awareness campaigns should promote digital literacy, online safety, responsible technology use, and knowledge of legal rights. Special attention should be given to women and girls in rural and marginalized communities who may have limited access to information and support services. Educational institutions have a particularly important role in fostering safe digital citizenship. Digital safety, cyber ethics, privacy protection, and responsible online behavior should be incorporated into school, college, and university curricula. Young people need practical skills to identify risks, protect personal information, respond to online abuse, and seek help when necessary.

Technology companies and social media platforms must also assume greater responsibility. Harmful content can spread rapidly across digital networks, often causing significant damage before it is removed. Platforms should strengthen reporting mechanisms, improve content moderation systems, and enhance cooperation with national authorities. Faster response times and more transparent procedures would contribute significantly to the protection of victims. Community-based approaches are equally valuable. Religious leaders, local government representatives, community organizations, and media outlets can help challenge harmful social norms, combat victim blaming, and promote supportive attitudes toward survivors. Building a culture of respect, equality, and accountability is essential for sustainable change. 

Bangladesh has several laws that can be applied to TFGBV, including the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act (2000), the Pornography Control Act (2012), and the recently enacted Cyber Security Act (2026). While these laws provide a foundation, significant gaps remain. Enforcement is often inconsistent, legal processes can be lengthy and complex, and many victims are unaware of their rights.

Moreover, the rapid evolution of technology, particularly AI-driven abuse, has outpaced existing legal frameworks. Without continuous updates and stronger implementation mechanisms, the law risks lagging behind the problem it seeks to address. There are encouraging signs of political recognition. In its 2026 election manifesto, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) pledged to take stronger action against online gender-based violence, increase awareness, and strengthen legal protections. The manifesto also emphasizes the importance of expanding the ICT sector, creating jobs in emerging technologies, and preparing the workforce for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. However, commitments must be translated into action. Addressing TFGBV requires not just policy statements but sustained investment, coordination, and accountability.

Recent work by the Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) provides valuable insights into the realities on the ground. BNNRC is implementing a project titled “Strengthening Resilience Against Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) and Promoting Digital Development.” The project is being implemented under the Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund (CEF) program, funded by Switzerland, Global Affairs Canada, and the European Union, with technical support from GFA Consulting Group. Over the year, BNNRC engaged more than 1,100 stakeholders—including journalists, civil society representatives, legal professionals, and content creators—across six districts: Barishal, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Kushtia, Satkhira, and Mymensingh. Through dialogues, workshops, and consultations, several key challenges emerged: Low digital literacy and awareness, widespread use of unregistered SIM cards, the rise of AI-enabled abuse, weak institutional coordination, limited mental health support services, inadequate content moderation in Bangla, social stigma, and underreporting. These findings reinforce the need for localized, context-specific interventions alongside national-level policies.

Through awareness campaigns, capacity-building activities, stakeholder engagement, and community outreach, such initiatives contribute to a more informed and responsive ecosystem. Several policy recommendations deserve particular attention. First, Bangladesh should adopt a comprehensive policy framework that explicitly recognizes TFGBV as a distinct category of violence. Second, specialized guidelines and standard operating procedures should be developed for law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and legal aid providers. Third, district-level legal aid services should establish dedicated support mechanisms for survivors. Fourth, regular training should be provided to judges, lawyers, investigators, and service providers regarding digital evidence management and victim-centered approaches. Fifth, the capacity of cyber tribunals should be expanded to improve access to justice and reduce delays. Sixth, mechanisms for virtual hearing and remote participation should be explored to reduce geographical barriers.

Seventh, stronger partnerships should be established between government institutions, civil society organizations, internet service providers, and digital platforms. Eighth, public awareness campaigns should be expanded through community radio, television, social media, and educational institutions. Ninth, national helplines and support services should be strengthened and widely publicized. Finally, systematic data collection and research are essential. Reliable evidence regarding the prevalence, forms, impacts, and responses to TFGBV can support more effective policymaking and resource allocation. Annual reporting at national and district levels would enhance accountability and facilitate continuous improvement. 

In conclusion, TFGBV represents one of the most significant human rights and development challenges of the digital age. As Bangladesh continues its digital transformation journey, ensuring safety, dignity, and equal participation for women and girls must remain a central priority. Legal aid institutions, law enforcement agencies, policymakers, technology companies, civil society organizations, and communities all share responsibility for creating a secure and inclusive digital environment. A comprehensive approach that combines legal reform, institutional strengthening, digital literacy, public awareness, victim support, and multi-stakeholder collaboration can significantly reduce the prevalence and impact of TFGBV. By investing in these measures, Bangladesh can strengthen access to justice, protect fundamental rights, and promote a digital future that is safe, equitable, inclusive, and empowering for all citizens.

Written by: Hiren Pandit

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