Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) organized a Regional Dialogue on Combating Technology-Based Gender-Based Violence in Barisal on February 19, 2025. Participants included women representatives of civil society organizations, women leaders, women representatives of human rights protection organizations, and Human rights defenders in the Barishal region.

The Dialogue was held to raise awareness and strengthen the role of women-led civil society organizations, women leaders, and Human rights defenders in the Barishal region to prevent Gender-based violence through technology. Speed Trust, provided overall support as a supporting organization in organizing the Dialogue in Barisal.

The Dialogue included three sessions. Five-panel discussants participated in each session, and 35 participants expressed their opinions on the relevant issues.

 

At the beginning of the dialogue, Mr. A.H.M. Shamsul Islam Dipu, CEO of Seed Trust, welcomed everyone and expressed gratitude. The session focused on the causes of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, increasing awareness for prevention, and determining practical actions for multiple stakeholders.

 

Mr. Shubhankar Chakraborty, Executive Director, MAP, Barishal, highlighted the perspective of the technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) of Barishal. He mentioned that TFGBV is increasingly alarmingly in the Barishal, much like other parts of the country. However, victims often hesitate to report incidents due to social stigma and fear. Many cases are informally settled through arbitration at the local level, preventing proper legal action. He emphasized that:

·       Many individuals lack awareness of TFGBV and its legal implications.

·       The prolonged duration of legal proceedings discourages victims from seeking justice.

·       Gender-based violence online is often dismissed or ignored, which negatively impacts victims, especially adolescents.

·       Victims, especially young girls, sometimes resort to extreme actions like self-harm due to cyber harassment.

·       The legal system should be reformed to ensure faster and more effective action against perpetrators.

 

He pointed out that in 2023, Barishal Kotwali Police registered only thirty-one cybercrime cases; in 2024, forty-two cases were filed. Due to the slow pace of legal proceedings, victims often lose hope. He made the following recommendations:

 

1. Raising awareness in the society about TFGBV

2. Conducting nationwide awareness campaigns

3. Educating students through school and college programs

4. Advocating for policy changes from grassroots to national levels

5. Providing legal support to the victims

6. Enhancing the role of law enforcement and judicial authorities

7. Raising awareness about AI-generated fake images and videos

8. Establishing cybercrime task force committees at the district and upazila levels

 

Mr. AHM Bazlur Rahman, CEO of BNNRC, acknowledged the government and private sectors' initiatives to prevent TFGBV.

 

Five discussants participated in the session. The panelists were Professor Mr. Gazi Zahid Hossain, President of SANAC, Bir Muktijoddha Mohiuddin Manik, Bir Protik, and Mr. Pankaj Roy Chowdhury, President of Khelaghor, Barishal. Mr. Dibakar Debnath, AGM, Eurotel Barishal.

 

Regarding the current situation, Mrs. Ruma Parvin, ASI, Women & Child Desk, Cyber Unit, Barishal Metropolitan Police, explained how teenagers are particularly vulnerable to cyber harassment and online blackmail.

 

Mr. Pankaj Roy Chowdhury, President of Khelaghor, Barishal, highlighted that 70% of children are no longer engaged in social and cultural activities due to mobile addiction, making them easy targets for cybercrimes.

Despite concerns about reducing internet speed, Mr. Dibakar Debnath, AGM of Eurotel, Barishal, emphasized the importance of enabling parental controls on the routers.

 

Expressing experience on Technology Facilitated Gender-based Violence Professor Mr. Gazi Zahid Hossain, President, SANAC stressed the importance of enforcing cyber laws, using strong passwords, and integrating sex education into curricula.

 

Bir Muktijoddha Mohiuddin Manik discussed how social media platforms are exploited for cybercrimes.

 

The session concluded with a collective commitment to work together and raise awareness of Combating Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence.

 

Five discussants participated in the second session. The panelists were Md. Mr. Ahsan Kabir, Senior Information Officer, PID; Mr. Imran Hossain, Assistant Professor of mass Communication and journalism, Barishal University, Barishal; Mr. Henry Swapon, Poet and writer; Mr. Sanjay Kumar Khan, Vice President of the Barishal Regional Teachers' Association; and Ms. Shahida Aktar, Coordinator of BLAST, Barishal.

 

Mr. Henry Swapon, Poet & Writer, mentioned that mobile addiction during the COVID-19 pandemic increased cybercrimes, and preventive training programs should be introduced.

 

Md. Mr. Ahsan Kabir, Senior Information Officer, PID, explained how media professionals play a crucial role in reporting and addressing TFGBV cases.

Mr. Sanjay Kumar Khan, Vice-President of the Barishal Regional Teachers' Association, emphasized the role of family and religious values in preventing violence.

 

Reflecting on the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), Imran Hossain, Assistant Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism at Barishal University, warned that driving people to excessive social media makes them vulnerable to misinformation, doxing, and cyberbullying.

 

Ms. Shahida Aktar, Coordinator of BLAST in Barishal, suggests we need to be cautious when using social media. Immediate steps should be taken to ensure that victims of violence can easily access legal support. Additionally, training programs should be arranged to raise awareness.

 

Five discussants participated in the Third session. The panelists were Ms. Sumaiya Jisan, a Journalist at Dakshiner Pratibedan; Mr. Mehedi Hasan, a Youth Representative at Barishal; Ms. Puja Roy, a Youth Representative at Barishal; Mr. Ranjit Dutta, Secretary General of the Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB), Barishal; and Mr. Kazi Jahangir, the President of ADAB, Barishal.

 

Mr. Ranjit Dutta, Secretary General of the Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB), Barishal, emphasized that families and teachers play a crucial role in educating children and teenagers. By providing proper guidance, they can ensure responsible social media usage.

 

Mrs. Puja Roy, Youth Representative, Barishal, pointed out that a lack of moral and family education leads young people to engage in negative online behaviors. She mentioned that her team works at the school level and organizes awareness campaigns to address these issues.

 

Mr. Kazi Jahangir, President of ADAB, Barishal, suggested that mobile phone usage should be restricted to a certain age and that young people must be educated on responsible technology use.

 

By giving an example, Ms. Sumaiya Jisan, Journalist Dakshiner Pratibedan, discussed that while family education is essential, the surrounding environment also plays a significant role in influencing criminal behavior. She emphasized that external factors should not be overlooked when addressing cybercrimes.

 

Mr. Mehedi Hasan, Youth Representative, Barishal, Explains We must be mindful of our use of technology while maintaining a balance between time and necessity.

 

The session concluded with a call to action for collective efforts in tackling technology-facilitated gender-based violence and ensuring a safer online space for all.

 

In this closing session, some of the recommendations came from their group discussions are-

·       Schools and colleges should integrate cyber safety training.

·       Law enforcement must act swiftly to investigate TFGBV cases.

·       The government should enforce stricter cybercrime laws.

·       Social awareness campaigns must target young people and families.

·       Victims should have access to fast-track legal support.