Published: 11:13 AM, 22 February 2025
Training on Combating Technology-Facilitated Gender Based Violence Was Organized in Barishal by BNNRC
Civil society members and dignitaries of a few NGOs addressed a workshop on gender-based violence in Barishal on 18 February 2025. -AA
A training on ‘Combating Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence' was held at the Barishal BDS auditorium and was organized by the Bangladesh NGO Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC). In line with the development of information technology, its misuse is also increasing, and harassment through technology has also increased. People from different walks of life are constantly being harassed online, a significant number of whom are women. A recent study has shown that more than 78% of women in Bangladesh have been victims of gender-based violence through technology. This training was organized to raise awareness and strengthen the role of representatives of women-led civil society organizations, women leaders, and human rights defenders in the Barishal region to prevent gender-based violence through technology.
The objective of the training was to provide ideas and raise awareness among women representatives of civil society organizations, women leaders, and women representatives of human rights protection organizations about preventing gender-based violence through technology. To determine and implement an action plan for civil society organizations to prevent gender-based violence through technology and to strive to assist victims of gender-based violence through technology at the local level in obtaining legal remedies. Through the training, awareness will increase in preventing gender-based violence through technology at the local level. In addition, victims of technology-facilitated gender-based violence will be encouraged to seek remedies from legal aid organizations.
SPEED Trust is providing overall support as a supporting organization in organizing the training in the Barishal region. AHM Shamsul Islam Dipu, Mission Head of SPEED Trust, delivered a welcome speech at the beginning of the training. BNNRC CEO AHM Bazlur Rahman and Program Coordinator Hiren Pandit conducted the training.
The trainees were made aware of the impact of technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Although this violence is considered less serious or less harmful, its widespread impact is observed. Still, research shows that it has had a profound effect on the health, lives, and future of women and girls, posing a perilous threat to the safety and well-being of women and girls. The impacts of technology-assisted gender-based violence on mental health are also profound: stress, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal thoughts, and even suicide attempts have been reported. People who have survived technology-assisted gender-based violence are often stigmatized and blamed, and their image is also damaged, which affects many aspects of their social lives.
When women rely on online spaces for their professional lives, gender-based violence facilitated by technology also has a profound impact on their financial opportunities and access to resources. In addition, Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence hinders women’s online presence/participation and reduces their involvement in public and political life, democratic processes, and leadership roles.
As a result, gender-based violence facilitated by technology reinforces patriarchal roles, norms, and structures, becoming an obstacle to achieving gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals. Finally, awareness is discussed on what we can do to prevent technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Governments, professional organizations, youth organizations, technology companies, media, BTRC, and individuals must work to prevent this violence from their respective positions.
BNNRC’s work effort is to develop the media on both knowledge-based and ongoing media issues, taking into account the challenges and opportunities of the rapidly changing reality of the media. BNNRC works as a knowledge-driven media development organization in the regional, national, and international arenas. It is a Special Consultative Organization of the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society and the United Nations Economic and Social Council and is the winner and champion of the United Nations WSIS Prize in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023.
PR Biswas is a Senior
Staff Correspondent
of The Asian Age.
