Published: 06:58 AM, 26 June 2026
Comprehensive Efforts Needed to Counter TFGBV in Bangladesh
Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) is emerging as one of the most urgent, yet under-addressed, challenges in Bangladesh’s digital transformation journey. If left unchecked, this form of violence risks undermining not only individual safety and dignity but also the broader goals of inclusive development and digital equity. Bangladesh’s digital expansion is undeniable. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), as of mid-2025, more than 56 percent of the population uses the internet, nearly 99 percent use mobile phones, and over 72 percent are smartphone users. Access to electricity has reached almost universal levels, further enabling digital connectivity.
Bangladesh is often celebrated as a rising digital nation. Over the past decade, the country has embraced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to transform governance, expand public services, and accelerate economic growth. From e-governance platforms to mobile-based financial services, digital tools have reshaped how citizens interact with the state and the economy. Yet beneath this promising narrative lies a growing and deeply troubling reality: the same technologies enabling progress are also being used to perpetrate violence—particularly against women and girls.
These gains have improved governance transparency, reduced service delivery gaps, and created new economic opportunities. Citizens can now access services online, participate in digital platforms, and engage more directly in civic processes. However, increased connectivity has also created new spaces for harm. The same platforms that empower users are increasingly being weaponized to harass, exploit and silence—especially women.
The extent of TFGBV in Bangladesh is alarming. According to a December 2024 report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), nearly 89 percent of women and girls in Bangladesh have experienced some form of online violence. Globally, two out of three women face such abuse at least once in their lifetime. The risks begin early. Girls aged 9 to 14 are already vulnerable, and young women between 18 and 30 are the most affected. Yet the majority of cases remain hidden—around 75 percent of victims do not report incidents or seek legal recourse.
Data from Police Cyber Support for Women (PCSW) further underscores the severity of the issue. In 2024 alone, more than 60,000 complaints were filed. Of these, 41 percent involved doxxing (the release of private information), 18 percent hacking of social media accounts, 17 percent blackmail, and smaller but significant shares involving impersonation and cyberbullying. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent real lives disrupted, silenced, and often permanently altered.
Contrary to common assumptions, TFGBV is not limited to a specific demographic. However, certain patterns are clear. A joint survey by UNFPA and BBS in 2024 found that women aged 20 to 24 face the highest levels of digital violence (16 percent), followed by those aged 25 to 29 (13.3 percent) and adolescents aged 15 to 19 (11.9 percent). Even women over 60 are not entirely spared. Education, surprisingly, does not offer protection. In fact, highly educated women are more likely to be targeted. Nearly 18.8 percent of women with graduate-level education reported experiencing TFGBV, compared to lower percentages among less-educated groups. Marital status also plays a role. Women living separately from their husbands face the highest risk, with nearly one in five reporting incidents of digital violence.
Perhaps most revealing is that TFGBV is not confined to active internet users. Even women without personal access to digital devices—around 3.4 percent—have experienced such violence. This highlights a critical reality: digital harm does not stay online; it spills into offline life, affecting safety, reputation, and social standing.
Perhaps most concerning is the rise of image-based abuse, including the use of artificial intelligence to create “deepfake” images and videos. A simple photograph can now be manipulated into explicit content and circulated widely, causing irreversible damage. These forms of violence are not isolated incidents—they are part of a broader ecosystem of gendered harassment designed to control, intimidate, and silence.
Addressing TFGBV requires a multi-stakeholder approach. First, legal and institutional frameworks must be strengthened. Laws should be updated to address emerging forms of digital violence, and enforcement mechanisms must be improved. Second, access to justice must be expanded. Reporting systems should be simplified, victim protection ensured, and legal aid made more accessible. Third, technology companies must be held accountable. Platforms should invest in better content moderation, particularly in local languages, and respond more swiftly to reports of abuse. Fourth, awareness and education are critical. Digital safety should be integrated into school curricula, and nationwide campaigns should promote responsible online behavior. Fifth, support systems must be strengthened. This includes mental health services, counseling, and community-based support for survivors. Finally, all interventions must be grounded in a human rights-based, victim-centered approach. The voices and experiences of survivors should guide policy and practice.
At the same time, collective action must prioritize raising widespread awareness about TFGBV, its risks, and its consequences. Strengthening referral mechanisms to ensure timely and appropriate support for survivors is equally critical, as is simplifying access to legal, psychological, and social services. There is also a pressing need to develop and implement evidence-based policies that reflect the evolving nature of digital violence. Integrating digital safety, ethical technology use, and gender sensitivity into NGO programs and development interventions can play a transformative role in prevention. Taken together, these measures can significantly reduce the prevalence and impact of TFGBV, helping to create safer digital spaces where all individuals—especially women and girls—can participate freely, confidently, and without fear.
Hiren Pandit is a columnist and
a researcher. He can be reached
