Voice, a leading rights-based organization focused on research and advocacy, has hosted the meeting titled ‘‘Women Rights is Human Rights: Navigating Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV)’’ to celebrate Human Rights Day 2024 on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The meeting occurred at Voice’s Civic Center, Shymoli, in the capital and was attended by human rights defenders, civil society members, media professionals, activists, women and youth.
Voice has been working in line with the cornerstones of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to infuse societies with equality, fundamental freedom, and justice while emphasizing that women’s rights are human rights over the last twenty-three years.
Speakers at the event expressed their concerns about women’s rights, an integral component of human rights, which is frequently undermined through various forms of abuse, including targeted attacks, gender misinformation and disinformation, threats, cyberbullying, sextortion, and exploitative misuse of technology.
Ahmed Swapan Mahmud, executive director of Voice, presided over the meeting and shared the organization’s concern about human rights situation in Bangladesh especially in the present era of digital advances.
He said: “Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is escalating with online platforms increasingly being weaponized to target women, girls and gender-diverse communities”.
He also elaborated, this form of digital oppression infiltrates homes, workplaces, and educational institutions, crossing all boundaries and geographical limitations. It is evident through cyber bullying, online harassment, stalking, and the non-consensual sharing of private information and images. The anonymity and global reach of digital platforms enhance the problem, leaving victims vulnerable and perpetrators motivated to commit more such crimes.
Speakers stressed that women face systemic discrimination and pervasive patriarchy across all levels of society. Simultaneously, the country has witnessed a rapid expansion in information and communication technology, infrastructure, and usage over the past decade. However, this technological advancement has posed significant challenges for women, who often struggle to navigate the digital landscape.
A 2022 study by ActionAid Bangladesh revealed that, among different type of online violences, women experience hateful and offensive sexual comments the most (about 80%). This year, flagging out social media account hacking as an emerging cybercrime in Bangladesh, Cyber Crime Awareness Foundation (CICAF) has shown that, about 60% of the victims are women.
Speakers called for collective action to combat TFGBV, emphasizing that protecting women’s rights is a fundamental step toward ensuring equality, dignity, and freedom for all. The call for action highlighted the duties of the government to address TFGBV through awareness campaigns focused on safeguarding, improved digital literacy, robust law enforcement mechanism, women’s empowerment initiatives, professional capacity building training, and targeted education for both general public and vulnerable groups.
