In the era of digital transformation, technology-facilitated gender-based violence-TFGBV has become an increasingly serious concern, disproportionately affecting women and girls. According to UNFPA, two out of every three women worldwide experience technology-facilitated gender-based violence and in Bangladesh, the rate is 89%.
To address this alarming situation, on January 20, in Mymensingh, the Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication-BNNRC and Nistha Unnayan Sangho jointly organized a multi-stakeholder dialogue to discuss digital development and effective measures to prevent, mitigate and respond to TFGBV.
The event was graced by Umme Habiba Mira, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development and Human Resource Management), Mymensingh District, as the Chief Guest. The dialogue was held under the project `Strengthening Resilience Against Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence-TFGBV and Promoting Digital Development’, implemented under the Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund-CEF programme. The project receives technical assistance from GFA Consulting Group and is funded by Switzerland and Global Affairs Canada.
The primary objectives of the dialogue were to: Provide an in-depth understanding of the forms, impacts and prevention approaches of TFGBV; Increase awareness of relevant laws and policies; Encourage participants to take initiatives within their respective institutions to strengthen knowledge, accountability and prevention mechanisms against TFGBV and Motivate more effective actions to promote digital development while preventing TFGBV.
At the beginning of the programme, Swadheen Chowdhury, Executive Director of Nistha Unnayan Sangho, delivered a welcome address, outlining the purpose and expected outcomes of the event.
He highlighted the scale of violence, limitations in legal responses, gaps in information management and the lack of reliable statistics. He also discussed the local context, progress and constraints in the district and presented brief policy recommendations for meaningful change.
A H M Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of BNNRC, elaborated on TFGBV and digital development—covering concepts, forms, negative impacts and responsibilities. He reiterated the workshop objectives and expected outcomes and discussed key statistics and the gravity of TFGBV in the broader context of digital development.
A total of 16 designated speakers contributed to the discussion and other participants actively engaged in an open forum. Participants expressed commitments to undertake various awareness initiatives within their spheres of work, focusing on forms of TFGBV, prevention, mitigation and response pathways. They also emphasized the importance of
engaging new stakeholders—such as ISPs, cable network representatives, bKash and Rocket agents—as part of a broader prevention and response ecosystem.
Guests underscored the importance of public awareness on digital development and TFGBV and highlighted the Government’s initiative: `Police Cyber Support for Women’ helpline (01320000888) and email (cybersupport.women@police.gov.bd). They stressed that awareness and coordinated action are essential to reducing violence and building a safer, more inclusive society.
In her remarks, Umme Habiba Mira, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development and Human Resource Management), Mymensingh District, stated: “All of us must learn about emerging issues such as technology-facilitated gender-based violence and we must take initiatives to inform others. We cannot move forward without technology; we must ensure its proper use. It is critically important to strictly curb misinformation and disinformation and ensure the flow of accurate information, as this helps ensure the victory of truth.” Legal discussions also noted that while Bangladesh has multiple laws—including the Cyber Security Ordinance and the Pornography Control Act—there remains a shortage of trained cyber investigation officers at the field level and gaps in survivor-friendly support systems, which often make ensuring justice difficult.
Given the rising trend of technology-facilitated violence, she called for coordinated action by families, schools, the media, NGOs and the administration, urged everyone to remain vigilant and aware and pledged full cooperation from the administration to address such incidents. Press Release