Published: 12:21 AM, 22 July 2026
BBC Media Action calls for gender-equal digital future in Bangladesh
BBC Media Action on Tuesday hosted a dissemination seminar and stakeholder dialogue to present the findings of its research project, "Digital Engagement and Norms Between Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) and Their Influencers in Bangladesh," aimed at promoting safe, meaningful and equitable digital participation for adolescent girls and young women in Bangladesh.
The seminar, held at a hotel in Dhaka, was attended by State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj as the chief guest. While the use of digital technologies has expanded rapidly across Bangladesh, adolescent girls and young women continue to face significant social, economic and structural barriers to safe and meaningful digital participation. Against this backdrop, BBC Media Action presented key findings from its Digital Gender Norms project, highlighting the challenges that limit women's access to and engagement with digital platforms.
The research examined the social, behavioural and structural factors influencing the digital engagement of adolescent girls and young women. It also assessed the effectiveness of pilot interventions implemented under the project and put forward a set of recommendations to inform future policies and initiatives aimed at strengthening women's digital inclusion.
Speaking during a panel discussion, State Minister Bobby Hajjaj said Bangladesh has entered the digital era with no turning back.
"Today, digital devices and mobile phones have become the books of the new generation. Ensuring digital safety for our students is therefore essential. Rather than keeping children away from the internet, we should equip them with the knowledge and skills to use it safely and responsibly," he said.
He stressed the need for stronger laws and policies to regulate digital platforms, particularly to ensure swift legal protection for students and women facing online harassment. Hajjaj also underscored the importance of establishing clear regulatory frameworks for digital platforms.
Referring to the ministry's "Open Door Policy," he invited BBC Media Action and other development partners to share their successful and tested models with the government for possible wider adoption. He expressed optimism that collaborative efforts would help build a safer and healthier digital society.
Earlier, Project Director Nishant Kumar introduced the project and outlined its objectives and key activities.
The event brought together policymakers, representatives from various government ministries and agencies, development partners, non-governmental organisations, media professionals, academics, researchers, civil society representatives and officials from JAAGO Foundation Trust, the project's implementing partner.
Participants discussed evidence and lessons generated through the research and exchanged views on future strategies to strengthen digital inclusion for adolescent girls and young women in Bangladesh. They also emphasised the need to reinforce partnerships, coordination and advocacy efforts to create a safe, inclusive and gender-equitable digital environment.
Delivering the closing remarks, Md Al Mamun, Country Director of BBC Media Action Bangladesh and Regional Director for Southeast Asia, said that social and family barriers continue to prevent many adolescent girls and young women from accessing digital spaces.
"When women are denied access to digital platforms, their voices are also silenced. As a result, their opinions and perspectives remain unheard," he said.
He noted that although more women are participating in public life, a significant gap still exists between urban and rural realities. Many young people, he added, remain constrained by various forms of dependency that prevent them from realising their full potential.
"We aspire to compete in the global marketplace and move the country forward, yet we continue to exclude a large segment of our population from the digital sphere. This is undoubtedly a major obstacle," he said.
Mamun called for concerted efforts by the government, development partners and other stakeholders to bridge the gender gap in digital access and participation, ensuring that adolescent girls and young women can fully benefit from the opportunities offered by the digital age.
