More than half of cybercrime victims in Bangladesh have experienced cyberbullying, with women bearing the brunt of online harassment.
The alarming insight was shared during a roundtable discussion titled “Unmasking Violence: Combating Misinformation, Disinformation & Cyberbullying” organized by USAID and the Dhaka Tribune as part of the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.” The event took place at the Krishibid Institute in Dhaka on Monday morning.
The discussion highlighted the profound psychological impact of cybercrime, with speakers emphasizing the urgent need to address gaps in policies, fact-checking infrastructure, and digital literacy.
Sirazum Munira Raiyan, former Grassroots Network Lead of the Youth Policy Forum, presented insights from grassroots communities.
“Anxiety, suicidal tendencies, and low self-esteem are on the rise across the country,” she noted.
Munira said: “All the crimes are heavily disproportionate on women, cybercrime is not different than that.”
She remarked pornographic images and videos and defamation in social media are the most common types of cyberbullying in the country.
“We also have a lack of proper fact-checking infrastructure.”
Troy Beckman, USAID director of communication, stressed the role of youth in driving change.
He said: “Women’s voices matter. Media plays a crucial role in amplifying those voices. We can’t solve problems if they remain unheard.”
Dhaka Tribune Executive Editor Reaz Ahmad said in a new Bangladesh where there is high aspiration for building a discrimination free society, "we need to push for the cause of women's rights and raise voice against gender-based violence."
Event moderator Dipty Chowdhury, emphasized the lack of awareness around existing policies. “Many people don’t even realize they are engaging in cyberbullying,” she said, calling for upgraded legislation and better public understanding.
Umama Fatema, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, drew attention to the prevalence of misinformation spread in social media, and the way women are often victimized.
She said: “Even after the mass uprising, women are being harassed. Many derogatory comments are being thrown at them. We have told the government that some of the female protesters are being targeted. They did not take an action. Maybe this is a small matter to them.”
Supreme Court lawyer and researcher Barrister Miti Sanjana highlighted flaws in existing cyber laws. “While it has gone through many changes, vague terms persist.
She pointed out that most of the victims are women and underage girl children. “Many of them do not come forward for the social stigma and victim blaming.”
Maliha Tabassum, a researcher specializing in AI in journalism and a faculty member at Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), pointed out deficiencies in AI literacy. “We do not have enough AI literacy. There is a gap because it is not included in the school curriculum. We cannot close the gap.”
Anti-discriminatory student protester Nusrat Zahan, poet and activist Ferdous Ara Rumi, lead of Policy Initiative of Youth Policy Forum Sad Ebne Walid, Content Manager of Toffee at Banglalink Digital Pari Rukh Al Matin, Founder of Cake Fiction Musarrat Jahan Esha, Ognie Foundation President Trishia Nashtaran, Mithela Haque Nova, Manager, YLO and Advocacy, Bijoyee, BYLC, Senior Programme Officer and Gender Focal of MRDI Sarwat Tarannum Nadia, JAAGO Gender and Inclusion Specialist Munmun Khan, Channel 24 Reporter Jummatull Bida, Jamuna TV Senior Broadcast Journalist Ahmed Reza and Journalist Lamia Sultana Tithi, Senior Reporter of Prothom Alo Abdul Al Hossain Alif, Dhaka Tribune Senior Reporter Nawaz Farhin Antara, TBS Reporter Zia Chowdhury, Dhaka University student Taizul Islam Shuvo and Adnan Rahmatullah Turjo, Meherun Nahar Moury from BUP, Jagannath University Student Sadiya Yasmin Anyanna also spoke at the roundtable.