Bangladesh Introduces Cyberbullying Unit to Protect Women & Children Online
Bangladesh Plans to Establish Anti-Cyberbullying Cell
The Bangladeshi government is planning to set up an anti-cyberbullying cell under the Prime Minister’s Office to address the rising issue of online harassment and violence against women and children.
Rising Issue of Online Harassment
According to a recent study, 89% of women social media users in Bangladesh have experienced online violence at least once, with women aged 18-30 facing the highest risk.
Cybercrime Statistics
- Between 2013 and 2020, the Dhaka Cyber Tribunal secured convictions in just 22 out of 2,669 cases, resulting in a conviction rate of 2.86%
- Approximately 76% of cybercrime victims in Bangladesh are women
- About 80-88% of cybercrime victims in Bangladesh never file a complaint due to fear of retaliation
Deepfake Incidents on the Rise
In the first quarter of 2025, deepfake incidents targeting Bangladeshi women increased by 19% compared to the previous year.
Pending Cases Across Bangladesh’s Eight Cyber Tribunals
As of August 2024, there were 5,818 pending cases across Bangladesh’s eight cyber tribunals, highlighting the urgent need for a functional support and enforcement structure.
Proposed Anti-Cyberbullying Cell
The proposed anti-cyberbullying cell is expected to play a crucial role in addressing this crisis.
“We believe that the proposed cell should not be designed solely as a complaint intake point but rather as a comprehensive legal infrastructure unit with five coordinated functions,” said Dr. Rizia Begum, a leading expert on cyberbullying in Bangladesh.
“Victim support and case management, legal framework and enforcement, technology and platform accountability, judicial and law enforcement training, and public literacy are all essential components of an effective anti-cyberbullying strategy.”
Implementation of the Proposed Cell
To achieve these goals, the cell should be equipped with trained paralegals, psychologists, and digital forensics specialists who can serve as first responders in handling online harassment cases.
Conclusion
The proposed anti-cyberbullying cell has the potential to make a significant impact in addressing the growing problem of online harassment in Bangladesh.
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