The findings of a recent study showing that 78 percent of women in Bangladesh face tech-based violence is very concerning. Such violence has the potential to drive women out of the digital space, hindering both their own and the nation's economic, technological and social progress.

The study, conducted by NETZ Bangladesh between July and November 2023 with 300 respondents from eight districts, also found that 50 percent of women avoid online activity or hide their identities on social media due to safety concerns. Incidents of violence have primarily occurred on Facebook, the social media platform used by many young women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh. Multiple fake accounts and/or AI-generated deepfake videos and doctored photos have been used to financially and emotionally exploit or blackmail women. Thirty-five percent of the respondents reported suffering mental health issues due to online harassment.

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However, there is little redress for the female victims of cybercrimes. According to an op-ed published in this daily, 26,592 complaints were registered by women with the Police Cyber Support for Women between November 2020 and April 2023, making up 77 percent of the total number of complaints. Yet, 33 percent of complainants refused to pursue legal action. This reluctance stems from the lack of victim-centric support, which creates more hassle for women than restitution. The lack of gender sensitisation among law enforcement members, lengthy legal process, and low conviction rate discourage women from seeking legal recourse. According to a report published in this daily, of the 2,141 cases filed with the cyber tribunal of Dhaka between 2014 and 2022, verdicts were delivered in only 213 cases, and the accused were acquitted in more than 50 percent of the cases.

Under such circumstances, law enforcement officials, lawyers and judges must be sensitised and educated on the nuances of cybercrimes. We hope that the Cyber Security Ordinance, currently with the cabinet, will properly address issues of cyberbullying and, unlike the Cyber Security Act and Digital Security Act, will not merely become a tool of oppression. The new law must provide a clear definition of cyberviolence against women and, if necessary, a specific law must be enacted to tackle this issue. At the same time, law enforcement members need access to advanced technology and training in digital forensics to investigate these crimes. Above all, social media literacy is crucial, which calls for the inclusion of online safety in the education curriculum and social campaigns against cybercrimes.