Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication organized a day-long capacity-building training on ‘Combating Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence' at the Shapla Resource Centre auditorium in Mymensingh on February 25, 2025. Twenty women representatives of women-headed civil society organizations/NGOs, women leaders, and women representatives of human rights protection organizations in attended the training.

The objectives of the training were to provide ideas and raise awareness among women representatives of civil society organizations, women leaders, and women representatives of human rights protection organizations about preventing technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV)  and determine and implement an action plan for civil society organizations to prevent TFGBV and to strive to assist victims of gender-based violence through technology at the local level in obtaining legal remedies.

Nishtha Unnayan Sangha is providing overall support as a supporting organization in organizing the training in the Mymensingh region. At the beginning of the training, Mr. Swadheen Chowdhury, Executive Director of Nishtha Unnayan Sangha, delivered a welcome speech and discussed the context of gender-based violence committed with the help of technology in the Mymensingh region. BNNRC CEO AHM Bazlur Rahman and Program Coordinator Hiren Pandit conducted the training.

The training included broadly two sessions. After the introduction phase, AHM Bazlur Rahman, CEO of BNNRC, conducted the first session. In this session, he discussed the training's objective, including the context and situation of TFGBV in Bangladesh, the definition of TFGBV, its types, the impact of TFGBV on women, what can be done at the individual level to prevent technology-assisted gender-based violence, hotlines and apps for prevention. He also discussed the role of relevant multi-stakeholder partners in preventing TFGBV and assisting victims or survivors of TFGBV in obtaining redress.

Mr. Hiren Pandit, coordinator of BNNRC, conducted the second session.  He discussed misinformation and disinformation and how to prevent it, including public hearings and the process for raising complaints of victims or survivors of TFGBV organized by the local administration at the public hearing.

The participants were given pre- and post-evaluations.

Mr. Mir Akram Uddin Ahmed, Director, Department of Mass Communication, Mymensingh, was the chief guest at the closing ceremony. He mentioned that we need to know about the causes of violence caused by technology, and to remedy it, we need to work with everyone in the society. We need to fight this war with everyone. Mr. Din Mohammad Dinu, Deputy Director, Mass Communication, Mymensingh Agricultural University, was present as the special guest. He said that everyone needs to work on the subject of today's training, which is very important. At the end of the training, the participants expressed their opinions and certificates were distributed among everyone.

In the closing session, the participants expressed their opinions. One participant, Ms. Purnima Chauhan, said, "I have become aware of the issues myself, but I did not know that these issues can be brought under the scope of public hearings. From now on, I will be able to use public hearings in such incidents." Ms. Sanjana Afroz said it was a timely training; it would have been better if it had been done for a longer period.

Certificates were distributed at the end of the training.

Through the training, awareness will increase in preventing gender-based violence through technology at the local level. In addition, victims of technology-facilitated gender-based violence will be encouraged to seek remedies from legal aid organizations.

BNNRC’s work effort is to develop the media on both knowledge-based and ongoing media issues, taking into account the challenges and opportunities of the rapidly changing reality of the media. BNNRC works as a knowledge-driven media development organization in the regional, national, and international arenas. It is a Special Consultative Organization of the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society and the United Nations Economic and Social Council. It is the winner and champion of the United Nations WSIS Prize in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication organized a Regional Dialogue on Combating Technology Gender-Based Violence in Barisal on 18th February 2025. Participants included women representatives of civil society organizations, women leaders, and 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. One of the NGOs, 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 deep dive, Mr. A.H.M. Shamsul Islam Dipu, CEO of Seed Trust, inaugurated the dialogue session with a warm welcome and gratitude. The session focused on the causes of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, increasing awareness for prevention, and determining effective actions for multiple stakeholders.

After That, Mr.Shubhankar Chakraborty, Executive Director, MAP, Barishal, highlighted that technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) is increasingly prevalent in the Barishal region, 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 one cybercrime case, while in 2024, two cases were filed. Due to the slow pace of legal proceedings, victims often lose hope. He recommended:

1. Raising awareness in 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 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

After the introduction phase,Mr. AHM Bazlur Rahman, CEO  of BNNRC, acknowledged the initiatives taken by the government and private sectors in preventing TFGBV.

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

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

Mr.Pankaj Roy Chowdhury ,President, 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.

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

Expressing experience on Technology Facilitated Gender-based Violence Professor Mrs. 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, Mass Communication & Journalism, Barishal University, Barishal, Mr.Henry Swapon, Poet & Writer, Mr.Sanjay Kumar Khan, VP, Barishal Regional Teachers' Association. Mrs.Shahida Aktar, Coordinator,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, VP,Barishal Regional Teachers' Association emphasized the role of family and religious values in preventing violence.

Reflecting on Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) Imran Hossain, Assistant Professor, Mass Communication & Journalism, Barishal University warned that drives people to excessive social media use, making them vulnerable to misinformation, doxing, and cyberbullying

Mrs.Shahida Aktar, Coordinator,Blast, Barishal suggest that we must be cautious while 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 Mrs.Sumaiya Jisan, Journalist, Dakshiner Pratibedan. Mr.Mehedi Hasan, Youth Representatives, Barishal, Mrs.Puja Roy, Youth Representatives, Barishal. Mr.Ranjit Dutta, Editor, PDO, Barishal. Mr.Kazi Jahangir, President, ADAB, Barishal.

Mr.Ranjit Dutta , Editor, PDO, 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 Representatives, 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, ADAB, Barishal suggested that there should be an age restriction for mobile phone usage and that young people must be educated on responsible technology use.

By giving an example Mrs.Sumaiya Jisan, Journalist Dakshiner Pratibed discussed that while family education is important, 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.