Intimidation, harassment for speaking up

Female activists leading the recent anti-rape protests and the July uprising are enduring continuous intimidation and harassment, both online and offline.

One such activist is Prapti Taposhi, a Jahangirnagar University student and a coordinator of the July Movement, who has been vocal in the ongoing anti-rape protests.

"Every day, I receive 10 to 12 rape threats on my profile. And it's not just me -- any woman who speaks out faces the same."

While digital harassment has existed for some time, it has escalated not just in numbers but in intensity since July last year, she said, adding that harassment has now become widespread.

"We are challenging extremists, Islamist factions, the government, its supporters and even pro-Awami League sympathisers. They all use social media to attack us -- because targeting women is the easiest way to silence dissent."

Prapti receives daily explicit threats, including messages such as: "I'll rape you to show you what freedom feels like!"

Videos of her have been circulated across social media, some manipulated into 'revenge porn'.

Despite not fearing the constant attacks, she feels helpless as law enforcement agencies are not taking any action to identify the perpetrators.

Her family, too, has been targeted, with rape and death threats and links to revenge porn, leaving her parents deeply concerned for her safety.

Shima Akhter, a vocal critic of the Awami League and a member of the Bangladesh Student Federation, is in the same boat.

"This relentless attack has left me traumatised."

Her family is terrified, forbidding her from protesting, and Shima is deeply concerned for her safety.

"The way I have been made recognisable is intended to get me killed," she said, while expressing a lack of faith in the country's legal system.

Adrita Roy, another JU student and activist under the "Bangladesh Against Rape and Abuse" platform, has faced harassment since protesting the home adviser's remarks on the Lalmatia mob violence.

Failing to come up with any counterargument to her activism, her critics have resorted to body-shaming her and labelling her a "Shahbagi", a slur for female activists.

"Just as people were once labelled Jamaat-e-Islami supporters, now they are tagged as 'Shahbagis' -- the pattern remains unchanged," she added.

Farzana Sithi, a key figure in the July uprising, has faced unimaginable levels of both online and offline harassment.

More than 250 fake accounts are spreading misinformation, trolling, often using AI-generated images and videos to tarnish her reputation.

"I did not receive any assistance from law enforcement. Some suggested private firms could disable fake accounts, but their services cost dollars -- I can't afford that. I still use public transport. And is this even my responsibility?"

She says the situation now is even more dangerous than during the student protests in July last year, which forced her into hiding amid false cases and threats.

Recently, Farzana has also faced physical threats. "A group in Uttara called me an atheist and said I deserve to be slaughtered. I had to flee quickly, but why should I? Did I do anything wrong by speaking up?"

Despite everything, Farzana remains committed to her activism.

There is also a clear double standard in how harassment is handled. While men like Nahid Islam receive support when body-shamed, women like Umama Fatema face relentless bullying and threats with no solidarity.

"Harassment targeting women's appearance is deeply personal and abusive, yet when women report such incidents, the response is minimal. This shows a frustrating disparity where men are supported, but women are silenced and further victimized," said Umama.

Shireen Huq, the chief of the Women's Affairs Reforms Commission, called the incident "deeply upsetting".

"These women led the July movement and inspired us all but now they are facing harassment. It's depressing. But I urge you, don't back down. The space you've fought for belongs to you. Don't let fear take it away. Stand firm, because if we give in, we lose everything."