Online violence against women on the rise
Speakers at a consultation in the capital yesterday demanded greater protection for women against Technology Mediated Violence against Women (TMVAW).
At least one third of the subscribers of mobile phones and the Internet are women, said the speakers.
Seventy-three percent of them have faced some form of violence and this number is increasing, they added, said a press release.
They made the comments at the consultation, titled “Technology Mediated Violence against Women in Bangladesh”, organised by ARTICLE 19 at a hotel.
TMVAW means the acts of gender-based violence that are committed by the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), for instance, phones, the Internet, social media platforms, and email.
One of the discussants, Tahmina Rahman, in her key note speech said existing laws do not sufficiently address issues of TMVAW.
There is a lack of awareness of provisions that can provide some protection, she said, adding that revenge pornography, photo perversion, cyber bullying, and cyber stalking are commonly suffered by women in Bangladesh.
Saraban Tahura Zaman, a researcher of Bangladesh Legal Aid Services; Ambica Roy, coordinator of Child Rights Unit at Ain o Salish Kendra; and Nasimun Ara Haque Minu, president of Bangladesh Female Journalists' Association, also spoke.
Twenty five journalists attended the consultation.
The consultation made a number of recommendations including creating greater awareness regarding TMVAW and existing legal remedies, stronger implementation of the High Court directives on sexual harassment, and strengthening investigation procedures for cyber offences.
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