As Rimjhim (pseudonym) enters her office, she sighs heavily before opening her laptop. To the outside world, she is a successful, cheerful, and confident working woman. But the moment she logs into the virtual world, she feels a weight pressing inside her chest. A few months ago, driven by personal resentment, a former colleague edited and distorted her photos and spread them from a fake account. Under those manipulated images poured obscene and abusive comments, direct threats – shaking the foundations of her personal life within moments.
Whispers started among colleagues and relatives. Even distant acquaintances began to judge her. To manage the situation, the office advised her to take temporary leave. When she sought justice, legal complications, the hassle of gathering evidence, and the slow process exhausted her further. Society seemed more interested in advising her to remain silent than in holding the perpetrator accountable. The digital platforms she needs for work now feel like a toxic prison.
Nova’s (pseudonym) experience is no different. A university student, she used to regularly write about social and political issues. As her bold opinions gained attention, the attacks began – a coordinated group of anonymous individuals flooded her inbox with obscene messages, rape threats, and warnings that her phone number would be leaked. Under mounting fear and mental pressure, Nova was eventually forced to close her account.
The experiences of Rimjhim and Nova are not isolated cases; they reflect the everyday reality of countless women in our society. This violence, which begins in the digital sphere, leaves deep scars on women’s personal, psychological, and professional lives.
When Technology Becomes a Weapon of Abuse:
We talk about a digital revolution today. Rapid technological advancements have transformed communication, education, employment, and access to information. While this progress has created new opportunities for women and girls, it has also introduced new risks – digital or technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Technology is no longer just a communication tool; it’s a power structure that is often weaponised against women.
Every year, from 25 November to 10 December, the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign is observed – calling for an end to all forms of violence against women and girls. This includes abuse occurring at home, in workplaces, in public spaces, and increasingly across digital platforms. In this context, the UN’s theme for 2025, “Unite to End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls,” feels especially urgent and timely.
Global Context:
According to recent (2024–2025) studies by the United Nations and UNESCO, between 16 percent and 58 percent of women worldwide have faced some form of digital violence or harassment. With the rapid rise of new technologies – especially artificial intelligence – this violence has intensified.
Studies show that about 90 to 95 percent of online deepfake content is sexual in nature, targeting women. Nearly half of the world’s women and girls (1.8 billion) still lack effective legal protection against cyber-harassment or cyberstalking. Women active in public life, such as journalists and politicians, are frequent targets. UNESCO states that 73 percent of women journalists experience online violence related to their work.
Bangladesh’s Troubling Picture:
Bangladesh mirrors global trends, but the severity here is deeper. According to an ActionAid survey (2022), 63.51 percent of women in the country face various forms of online violence. And a 2024 Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics survey, supported by UNFPA, found that among women with access to technology, 16 percent have experienced technology-facilitated gender-based violence. The rate is highest among urban women aged 20 to 24. Such violence – abusive comments, sexually suggestive messages, blackmail, and deepfake content – leaves long-lasting effects on women’s mental well-being.
Women active in public spheres – journalists, politicians, activists – frequently become targets of coordinated online attacks aimed at silencing their voices. This is not just personal harm; it is a major threat to democracy and gender equality. Even more worrying is that over 85 percent of women who face cybercrime never file a complaint – either believing “there’s no point” or fearing social stigma. The fact that most victims of cyber-violence are women and children shows just how unsafe the digital space has become for them.
Where Are We Failing?
Several deep structural and social factors fuel the rise in digital violence. Patriarchal attitudes remain strong online – misogyny is often normalised. Vague cyber laws, slow case resolution, and complex legal procedures embolden perpetrators. Although initiatives like the police’s Cyber Support for Women exist, victims often lack confidence in legal support. Technology companies also fall short – slow removal of fake accounts or abusive content, prioritising profit over safety, and women’s limited knowledge of cybersecurity make them more vulnerable. Meanwhile, cases of online sexual harassment and blackmail among children and teenagers are rising at an alarming rate, making the situation even more complex.
In this reality, addressing the pain of women like Rimjhim and Nova requires a coordinated approach. The 16-day campaign highlights not only the problem but also pathways to solutions. To build a safer digital future, cyber laws must become more gender-sensitive and modern -especially with strong policies to tackle deepfakes and AI-driven crimes. Ensuring quick, harassment-free justice for victims is crucial.
Technology companies also need to step up – making reporting mechanisms simple and confidential, and investing in stronger content moderation to protect women. Alongside this, cyber-awareness education from schools to universities, and active parental involvement, is essential.
Above all, societal attitudes must change. Families, communities, and the media must stand with victims – giving them the strength to speak, rather than silencing them. Only through such collective action can the virtual world become safe and inclusive for all.
Sinthi Ghosh, The Writer is a Women’s Rights Activist.
