According to a study commissioned by ActionAid Bangladesh in 2022, a total of 63.51% of women respondents reported facing online violence, which was 50.19% last year.
This means around 64 out of 100 women have to face online harassment and violence in Bangladesh, said a press release issued on Sunday.
The findings of the study were revealed in a discussion session titled “Stop Online Violence Against Women: Challenges and Way Forward” organised by ActionAid Bangladesh, on Sunday, at BRAC Centre Inn.
The program is a part of the 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women campaign.
The study aimed to understand the prevalence rate of online violence in the country.
It focused on identifying different types of violence and harassment experienced or perceived by women on online platforms and sharing practical recommendations to prevent online violence against women in Bangladesh.
It was conducted through an online survey in six districts - Shatkhira, Sunamganj, Patuakhali, Bandarban, Kurigram, and Lalmonirhat, covering 359 female participants aged between 15 to 35, reads the press release.
The study reads, in 2022, among the various digital platforms women mostly faced online violence on Facebook (47.60%), Messenger (35.37%), Instagram (6.11%), IMO (3.06%), WhatsApp (1.75%), and on YouTube (1.31%).
The combined score under the “other” option comes as 4.80% and the said platforms or ways of harassment mentioned are video calls, mobile phone, text, etc.
Representational photo BigstockHateful and offensive sexual comments are ranked the highest among the types of online violence faced by women (80.35%) in the survey for this year, followed by sending sexually explicit pictures to inboxes and asking to have sex (53.28%) and discrimination against women (19.71%).
A total of 17.47% of respondents said they were harassed by offenders who created fake IDs in their name, 16.16% said their activities were always followed in cyberspace and 13.10 % were victims of personal attack for speaking out on gay rights.
Furthermore, 11.79% of respondents said their private photos were posted on social media without their consent and 11.79% received threats of sexual assault.
A total of 3.06% of the respondents revealed that they were photographed or recorded during sexual assault and those were later posted on social media.
Some 2.62% of respondents said their pictures of intimate moments were posted secretly and they were later blackmailed for money with a threat to release their personal information.
Meanwhile, 1.75% said their photos were edited and published on pornography sites.
The study further found that the most severe impact on women's life due to online violence is psychological trauma, including depression and anxiety, which is at 65.07%.
The second highest impact is a loss of confidence in being active or expressing opinions on social media (42.79%).
Being traumatized and losing self-dignity were reported by 25.33% and 24.89% of respondents respectively.
The study also revealed that emotional distress caused by online violence and harassment is narrowing down women's self-confidence and independence in a severe way.
The study explored that 14.91% of women submitted formal complaints against online violence and more than 85% of sufferers remained silent even though they are harassed online in many ways.
Among the complainants, 44.12% filed complaints through the social media reporting option, 20.59% through the Facebook page of Police Cyber Support for Women- PCSW, 11.76% through the National Emergency Service (999), 11.76% through the nearest police station, 5.88% through Cyber Crime Investigation Division, CTTC and DMP, reads the press release.
The study further revealed that most of the women think that the existing complaining mechanisms do not work. As a result, some 28.87% did not show interest in submitting any complaints.
A total of 64.71% of respondents also mentioned they did not find any redressal or action against their submitted complaints. Some 75.77% of women reported they want to complain anonymously through online platforms as they are afraid of social stigma, victim blaming, and losing privacy.
In terms of awareness campaign regarding online violence, 56.55% of respondents said they have not seen any such campaign; 73.09% said they observed campaign through social media; 35.34% through TV commercials; 20.08% through influencers, and 7.63% through newspaper advertisement.
To raise awareness about online harassment, abuse and risks, respondents suggested ensuring strict enforcement of the law, quick and visible punishment, online and offline awareness campaigns, and training to make mass people aware of safe digital media usage.
BigstockFarah Kabir, country director, of ActionAid Bangladesh said: “Violence against women is not new and it still exists in various forms. Be it in family, society, or state, women are oppressed in every field, and it has various manifestations. One of its new means is online given this is an era of technology and as a result online violence against women is increasing rapidly. Especially teenagers and girls below 18 years are mostly falling into the trap of online violence.”
“If everyone works together, as this year's global theme signifies, violence against women can be reduced to a great extent,” she added.
Taslima Yasmin, assistant professor, Faculty of Law, University of Dhaka opined that technical assistance is required in addition to strengthening the legal process to resolve online violence.
Mohammad Saiful Alam Khan, project director, Secured Email for Government and Digital literacy Center project, Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), ICT Division said: “Government has set up Digital Literacy Center for students at school, college, and university level so that they can easily acquire knowledge about digital literacy.”
“At an individual level, we all need to be aware and careful about our online usage. Parents and journalists can also avail training on digital literacy and cyber security from the available options to prevent gender-based violence in all platforms,” he added.
Sadat Rahman, winner of the International Children's Peace Prize and founder and president of Cyber Teens Foundation, mentioned: “11 young girls committed suicide in Bangladesh in the last 2 years due to online harassment. Adolescents are aware of the Digital Security Act, but they don't know how to access support.”
“Law enforcement agencies and other relevant stakeholders need to make the support system more readily available and approachable,” he added.
Trishia Nashtaran, founder and organiser, Meye Network, Dr Ashique Selim, lead consultant psychiatrist and managing director, Psychological Health and Wellness Clinic; Fatima Tuj Johara , staff reporter, Daily Kaler Kantho also spoke in the discussion session.
The session also explored ways of ensuring women's safe access to digital platforms by enhancing digital literacy, social awareness, and formulating appropriate policies.
Speakers urged the Ministry of ICT for incorporating Gender-based Violence in training manuals and all relevant contents and activities.