Tue Dec 9, 2025 12:00 AM
Last update on: Tue Dec 9, 2025 10:29 AM
Speakers tell roundtable
Staff Correspondent
Tue Dec 9, 2025 12:00 AM Last update on: Tue Dec 9, 2025 10:29 AM
Online abuse has become a growing health concern for women in Bangladesh, with many victims of cyberbullying or online harassment reporting depression, anxiety and stress.
These emotional problems often disrupt daily life, relationships and physical well-being. Symptoms include persistent sadness, loss of interest in routine activities, sleep disturbances and low self-confidence.
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In many cases, the emotional harm also appears as physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches and sleep problems, according to a keynote paper presented yesterday.
The keynote was delivered by icddr,b scientist Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman at a roundtable titled “Ending Digital Violence: Policy Priorities for Advancing Health and Justice for Women and Girls,” held at The Daily Star Centre.
The event was organised by the CSO Forum for Strengthening a Sustainable SRHR Ecosystem in Bangladesh and The Daily Star as part of the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence”.
Speakers at a roundtable, titled “Ending Digital Violence: Policy Priorities for Advancing Health and Justice for Women and Girls,” at the capital’s The Daily Star Centre yesteday. The event was organised by the CSO Forum for Strengthening a Sustainable SRHR Ecosystem in Bangladesh and The Daily Star as part of the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.” Photo: Star
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Speakers at a roundtable, titled “Ending Digital Violence: Policy Priorities for Advancing Health and Justice for Women and Girls,” at the capital’s The Daily Star Centre yesteday. The event was organised by the CSO Forum for Strengthening a Sustainable SRHR Ecosystem in Bangladesh and The Daily Star as part of the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.” Photo: Star
Ehsanur highlighted findings from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics’ Violence Against Women Survey 2024, which showed that eight percent of women who have access to technology have experienced technology-facilitated gender-based violence at least once.
The highest prevalence was among young and urban women. Sixteen percent of women aged 20 to 24 reported facing this form of violence.
Exposure was also shaped by education and wealth. Almost one in five women with a bachelor’s degree or higher encountered online violence, compared to 2.8 percent of women with no education.
Nearly half of the perpetrators were strangers, indicating how digital platforms create vulnerability even within private spaces.
Supreme Court advocate Barrister Priya Ahsan Chowdhury presented “Women and Children in Online Space: Navigating Through the Justice System in Bangladesh,” where she discussed the threats women face online, actions that can be taken in cases of cyber violence, evidence preservation and relevant laws.
Prof Ruchita Tabassum Navad, emeritus scientist at icddr,b’s Maternal and Child Health Division, said although relatively few women and girls in Bangladesh use the internet, online violence against them is already high and likely to rise.
“Many victims do not seek help because of fear, stigma and difficult legal processes. Since most women never report violence, prevention and awareness are more important than services alone,” she said, adding that families, schools and communities must play a role in teaching safe online behaviour.
Prof Saria Tasnim of OGSB’s Gynaecology and Obstetrics said prevention begins with awareness and healthy relationships between parents and children.
She said the government, NGOs and professional bodies must work together for effective prevention and response.
Nadia Afroz, assistant professor at the National Institute of Mental Health, described how negative comments online can trigger severe depression and anxiety in children.
She called for immediate support, parental guidance on safe social media use, age-appropriate education and timely professional help to prevent long-term trauma.
Kamal Ahmed, consulting editor of The Daily Star, stressed the need for a single, easy-to-remember emergency number, stronger enforcement of laws, better service coordination and pressure on global tech companies to address online harassment.
“The Daily Star continues to take a strong stand against gender-based violence and discrimination and promotes awareness through reporting and campaigns,” he said.
Rahat Ara Nur, programme director of Ipas Bangladesh, emphasised the need to strengthen the country’s sexual and reproductive health and rights ecosystem.
She also said the CSO Forum’s 23 member organisations, including NGOs, academic institutions, legal groups and feminist organisations, play a key role in national advocacy.
The sessions were moderated by Tanjim Ferdous, in charge of NGOs and Foreign Missions at The Daily Star, with representatives from government bodies and NGOs sharing experiences, initiatives and recommendations for creating safer digital spaces for women and girls.