Cyber Silence: Growing Violence Against Urban Women in Bangladesh

Nusrat (pseudonym), a student at a private university in Dhaka, recently endured a harrowing digital assault. Without warning, objectionable photos were leaked from her Facebook account. Hackers gained access to her personal data and began blackmailing her. The impact of the attack transcended the virtual world, disrupting her academic and family life. Unfortunately, Nusrat's experience is not an isolated incident.

As urban women in Bangladesh become more proficient in digital technology, their risk of falling victim to cyber violence has also increased. Common forms of tech-enabled crimes include hacking, phishing, identity theft, the creation of deepfake videos, and the release of private chats—forms of digital abuse that are now becoming the new face of violence against women.

Imagine receiving a message from a stranger with disturbingly accurate details of your daily routine, or seeing your video footage digitally manipulated into obscene content and circulated online. This is not a fictional dystopia but a disturbing reality for millions of women and girls in today's digital age.

Cyber violence involves using technology to demean, intimidate, harass, or blackmail others. For women, the impact is particularly severe. Cultural stigmas, family fears, and legal complexities often deter victims from coming forward, allowing perpetrators to operate with impunity. One study revealed that while 78% of urban women in Bangladesh use smartphones, 65% have experienced some form of online harassment. Platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube—once seen solely as communication tools—are now also becoming arenas of abuse.

Many believe that technological literacy ensures safety, but that is not necessarily true. Even well-educated women have fallen prey to cyberattacks, often due to a lack of awareness about digital safety practices such as detecting phishing emails or using multi-factor authentication.

As an IT professional, I believe that ensuring women’s cybersecurity must be a priority. The first step is raising awareness. Digital security education should be included in school and college curricula. Girls must be taught not to click unknown links, not to share personal photos, and to activate two-factor authentication.

Dedicated workshops are essential to raise awareness among female students. Women must move beyond being mere users to becoming tech-savvy individuals. They should be trained in device security, identifying fake apps, and reporting or blocking harmful content.

I have conducted cybersecurity workshops at schools and women’s entrepreneurship centers. The enthusiastic responses from participants made it clear that women are eager to learn but lack accessible opportunities.

Victims of online harassment should never feel ashamed. This mindset must be instilled in our society. Although there are digital security laws in place, many women are unaware of them or are afraid to seek help from law enforcement. A specialized helpline similar to 999, staffed by female officers, could allow women to file complaints safely and receive immediate guidance.

Women’s increased participation in the tech sector would not only help them protect themselves but also empower them to protect others. While female participation in Bangladesh’s tech industry is on the rise, it currently stands at just 13%. If every school and college had at least one female IT instructor, it would be easier to educate girls about safe digital practices.

Additionally, dedicated training programs should be developed for housewives, female entrepreneurs, and journalists—women who are frequent users of digital platforms.

Technology can be a blessing, but without caution, it can easily become a curse. Today, women are engaged in online marketing, freelancing, content creation, and even programming. Family, educational institutions, the government, and tech companies must all support them on this journey.

Cybersecurity for women is not merely a technological issue—it is a societal and moral responsibility. Every woman must be made aware of her digital rights, and society must be prepared to build a safer virtual world for them.

Writer: Cybersecurity Specialist

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone. DigiBangla Media bears no responsibility for the opinions shared herein. In accordance with journalistic ethics and the principle of pluralism, this article has been published without editorial intervention. If any reader finds the content disturbing, the reaction remains their personal responsibility.