Rights activists have expressed concern over the alarming rise in cyberbullying against women and sought the government’s effective measures to stop the menace.
Citing Bangladesh Police data, speakers at a webinar organized by Naripokkho on Tuesday said that some 80% of the victims of cyberbullying are women aged 14 years to 35 years.
The event was the 12th discussion of their year-long webinar series.
They mentioned that there are a lot of benefits of the internet. But in this era, people, especially women, face a lot of harassment just because of this cyberspace and its availability.
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Trishiya Nashtaran, founder and organizer of Meye Network, said: "I formed Meye Network 10 years ago, and during that time, I had to work secretly because my peers bullied me. But today, when I look back, I feel that I am being bullied by strangers and peers alike."
She added that cyberspace is the new weapon to attack women.
Popular actress Rafiath Rashid Mithila, also the head of Early Childhood Development Programme at Brac International, was also present at the event.
She said: "I'm a self-sufficient and well-established woman in this country, but I also had to face cyberbullying a few years ago when a few of my private pictures got viral on social media. Then people started to think of me as their public property. But those who are not powerful in this society and can't raise their voice for the social obstacles, their situation is more vulnerable.”
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Rezaur Rahman Lenin, a researcher and academic activist, said: "There is no woman internet user whom I know who didn't face cyberbullying in their lifetime."
He said that law enforcers should ensure the right to privacy of everyone.