As the world marks the annual 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture. It's a moment to pause, reflect on the difficult realities revealed by recent data, and, most importantly, commit to a bold, forward-thinking future.
This year calls for us to step up, not just for the women in our homes and communities, but also for those navigating the new, complex frontiers of the internet.
Our collective commitment must be to not only address the physical, emotional, and economic violence that persists but also to dismantle the emerging threats of digital abuse that silence and harm.
The uncomfortable truth
Recent reports, prominently featured in the media including the Dhaka Tribune under the title “Survey: 70% of women in Bangladesh experience intimate partner violence,” have starkly illuminated the scale of abuse within the home.
The Violence Against Women Survey 2024, conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and UNFPA, revealed that 70% of women have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) at some point in their lives. This comprehensive household-based survey involved interviews with 27,476 women from urban, rural, disaster-prone, and slum areas.
The findings highlight the persistent prevalence of physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse within marital relationships: More than half (54%) of women reported experiencing physical or sexual violence -- or both -- by their husbands in their lifetime, while controlling behavior and psychological violence were found to be the most common forms of abuse.
This pervasive issue is not limited to physical spaces; it has metastasized into the digital realm. The rise of digital abuse is starkly quantified by alarming local research. An ActionAid Bangladesh study -- conducted via an online survey of women aged 15 to 35 -- found that 63.51% of its 359 female participants reported facing online violence, a significant jump from the previous year's 50.19%. This means roughly 64 out of every 100 young women in the surveyed demographic must contend with online harassment, blackmail, or abuse -- a digital reality that makes the goal of “safety on the screen” an immediate, non-negotiable priority for Bangladesh.
The 2025 campaign theme brings the focus to a rapidly growing threat. In a country where internet and mobile penetration is soaring, women's access to digital tools often comes with the risk of harassment, abuse, and threats.
The 2024 VAW Survey introduced a critical new metric: Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). The findings show that 8.3% of women with technology access experienced some form of this violence in their lifetime, including sexual blackmail, image-based abuse, and online controlling behaviors. The vulnerability is highest among younger and urban women, with one in five women aged 20–24 facing TFGBV.
This new form of violence is not an isolated problem; it is intrinsically linked to offline threats, as digital abuse can easily escalate into stalking, coercion, and even physical danger.
As a society, we must innovate to protect women in these emerging virtual public spaces. A key step is promoting digital literacy and cyber-safety through nationwide campaigns that go beyond teaching how to use apps, focusing instead on digital rights, online consent, and respectful communication. Such education must reach both men and women, fostering a culture of mutual respect and responsibility online.
At the same time, our legal and reporting mechanisms must evolve with technological change to ensure that victims of digital abuse can access support that is both empathetic and effective. The alarming fact that only a small percentage of women are aware of helplines such as the VAW Helpline 109 highlights the urgent need for a massive, multi-platform awareness drive to make these essential resources widely known and easily accessible.
While the statistics are sobering, they also present us with a clear roadmap for the future. Bangladesh has made tremendous strides in the past few decades, and this same resilience and ingenuity can be channeled to end GBV. Our path forward is not just about enacting laws, but about cultivating a new social contract built on respect and equality.
- Prevention first
We must shift from a purely reactive approach to a proactive, prevention-focused strategy. This means starting early: Integrating gender equality and violence prevention curricula into primary and secondary education. When we teach young boys and girls about mutual respect, bodily autonomy, and equal partnership from a young age, we are investing in a future where the current statistics are historical artifacts.
- Empowering economic and political participation
Economic empowerment remains a powerful defense against violence. The Dhaka Tribune frequently reports on the positive correlation between women's financial independence and their decision-making power. We must ensure women have access to leadership positions, fair wages, and ownership of property, cementing their value in the public and private spheres.
The spirit of the historic student-led uprising in 2024, which demanded a more equitable society, must be extended to ensure that women are equal partners in the political and economic landscape of the new Bangladesh.
- Engaging the community as change-makers
Ending GBV is not a "women's issue" but a societal one. We need to engage men and boys as allies and change-makers, not just as potential perpetrators. Community leaders, religious figures, and local government bodies must be at the forefront of challenging harmful patriarchal norms that sustain the violence. We need to normalize discussions about gender equality in tea stalls, workplaces, and community gatherings.
The data from the 2024 VAW Survey provides us with an undeniable truth and a clear direction. We have the quantitative evidence -- now we need the qualitative courage to act.
Let us commit to a Bangladesh where safety for women is not a privilege but a fundamental right, whether she is walking down a bustling Dhaka street, working in a garment factory, or navigating the digital world.
Let us replace the silence of the 64% with a chorus of support and justice. The future of our nation depends on the full, fearless participation of every woman and girl.
Sumit Banik is a public health activist and trainer. Email: [email protected].
