A Multi-Stakeholder Community Talks titled `Combating Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence : Current Landscape, Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategic Responses’ was held today (September 23) in Barishal.
The event was organised by the Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication-BNNRC as part of its ongoing project, `Strengthening Resilience Against Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence-TFGBV & Promoting Digital Development.’
This initiative is part of the Nagorikata : Civic Engagement Fund-CEF Programme, which is implemented with technical support from GFA Consulting Group and funded by the Embassy of Switzerland and Global Affairs Canada-GAC.
The community talks brought together 42 participants from a wide range of sectors, including local administration, representative from Barishal Cyber Police unit, District Women Affairs officer, Educators, the Internet Service Provider Association, women-led NGOs and women’s rights organisations, as well as representatives from SANAK, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, The Hunger Project, MJF, the Web Foundation, youth organisations, and Aparajeyo Bangladesh. The event also engaged youth leaders, media professionals, YouTubers, content creators and academia.
The primary objective of the talks was to foster community-driven solutions, encourage strategic networking, and build collaborative partnerships to create safer digital spaces and a resilient digital development ecosystem.
A H M Shamsul Islam, Mission Head of Speed Trust, welcomed the participants, outlined the event’s objectives and expected outcomes, and moderated the whole session.
A key session titled `Understanding Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence’ was facilitated by A H M Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of BNNRC. This session explored the definitions, forms, impacts, and existing legal and policy frameworks for addressing TFGBV.
During her short visit to the program, Katharina König, Deputy Team Leader of the Civic Engagement Fund-CEF, graciously provided an overview of the Nagorikata initiative. She thoughtfully articulated the CEF’s objectives, key outcomes, stakeholders, governance structure, and targeted beneficiaries. Furthermore, she emphasised the three foundational principles guiding the CEF : the significance of collaborative partnerships and co-creation as essential practices, a commitment to leaving no one behind-LNOB whenever feasible, and the importance of being versatile and responsive to change.
A keynote presentation on the `Current Landscape of TFGBV in Barishal: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategic Responses’ was delivered by Shuvankar Chakraborty, a writer and cultural personality.
Following the presentations, a dynamic panel discussion was held on the `Anticipated Role of Multi-Stakeholders in Combating TFGBV.’ The discussion highlighted the need for integrated action, shared responsibility, and innovative strategies to address the growing threat of TFGBV.
Jahanara Parveen, Upazila Women’s Affairs Officer, was present as the Special Guest, underscoring the vulnerability of women and female students as primary victims of GBV and TFGBV. She acknowledged that men can also be affected by TFGBV, urging a united approach among policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and community members to effectively address this pressing concern. She articulated the importance of collaborative and comprehensive efforts from all sectors of society to effectively address technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
Imran Hossain, Assistant Professor, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Barishal University, served as the Special Guest and highlighted the critical need for collective action to combat TFGBV. He called for increased awareness among family members, educators, and students to foster a safer environment. He recognised the complexity and the emergence of new forms of gender-based violence, stressing the importance of collaboration between community members and the administration. Victims are encouraged to take legal recourse and report incidents to local law enforcement and authorities. It is imperative that we all engage actively in our respective capacities to address and combat TFGBV effectively.
NGO Activist Ziaul Ahsan gave a vote of thanks to the participants and highlighted the importance of combating TFGBV in society. He urged all concerned to work from their respective fields.
Prof. Gazi Zahid Hossain presided over the session. In his concluding remarks, he said respective organisations, partners, and beneficiaries have gained valuable insights into this pressing issue. This gathering will foster enhanced coordination between civil society and government representatives, paving the way for stronger collaboration, partnerships, and networking among civil society organisations. This multi-stakeholder talk represents a noteworthy advancement in the pursuit of a safer and more inclusive digital landscape, particularly for youth, young women, and marginalised groups in the Barishal division. Press release