ICT Secretary Stresses Legal Reform, Tech-Driven Protection to Curb Online Violence Against Women and Girls

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division Secretary Shish Haydar Chowdhury has stressed the need for effective legal reforms, technology-driven protection mechanisms, and extensive digital literacy initiatives to address the rapidly growing online violence against women and girls.

Speaking at a roundtable discussion held on Thursday, 26 November, at the ICT Division’s conference room in Agargaon, he said, “To ensure Bangladesh’s digital transformation remains sustainable, we must build a strong foundation of safety and accountability. It is essential to modernize and strengthen online complaint-handling and investigation systems, enhance cyber-investigation capacity, and raise widespread awareness on responsible digital citizenship nationwide.”

The event—jointly organized by UNOPS Bangladesh, a2i, ICT Division, BIISS, and the Maldives High Commission in Bangladesh—was part of the ongoing 16-day campaign themed “Let’s Unite to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls.”

During the discussion, government policymakers, diplomats, lawyers, technology experts, private sector representatives, civil society members, and journalists examined the risks, harms, and redress frameworks relating to cyberstalking, online harassment, deepfakes, image and video manipulation, and image-based abuse.

Special guest Sudhir Muralidharan, Country Manager of UNOPS Bangladesh and Bhutan, noted that digital violence is not merely a technological issue but a challenge across development, governance, and human rights. “To establish a comprehensive response framework, the government, international organizations, private sector, and civil society must work together,” he said.

a2i Project Director Md Abdur Rafiq said digital platforms offer immense opportunities for growth and empowerment, but these spaces must never become zones of fear or violence. “Without ensuring safe participation for women, we cannot envision an inclusive digital future,” he added.

The event, moderated by Professor Dr. Tasnim Arefa Siddiqui, Chairperson of the Department of Political Science at the University of Dhaka, was attended by various stakeholders, including Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Tasnuva Shelley and heads of different agencies.

DBTech/JEU/EK/OR