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According to a study commissioned by ActionAid Bangladesh in 2022, 63.51 per cent of women respondents reported facing online violence, up from 50.19 per cent last year.
This indicates that around 64 out of 100 women are facing online harassment and violence in the country.
The findings of the study were revealed in a discussion session titled ‘Stop Online Violence Against Women: Challenges and Way Forward’ organised by ActionAid Bangladesh, at BRAC Centre Inn, on Sunday, as a part of 16 Days of activism to end violence against women campaign.
The study aimed to understand the rate of prevalence of online violence in the country. It focused on identifying different types of violence and harassment experienced or perceived by women on online platforms and share effective recommendations to prevent online violence against women in Bangladesh.
It was conducted through an online survey in 6 districts - Shatkhira, Sunamganj, Patuakhali, Bandarban, Kurigram, and Lalmonirhat, covering 359 female participants aged between 15 to 35.
The study finds, in 2022, among the various digital platforms women mostly faced online violence in Facebook (47.60 per cent), in Messenger (35.37 per cent), in Instagram (6.11 per cent), in IMO (3.06 per cent), in WhatsApp (1.75 per cent) and in YouTube (1.31 per cent). The combined score under the ‘other’ option comes as 4.80 per cent and the said platforms or way of harassment mentioned are video call, mobile phone, text etc.
Hateful and offensive sexual comments are ranked the highest among the types of online violence faced by women (80.35 per cent) in the survey for this year, followed by sending sexually explicit pictures to inboxes and asking to have sex (53.28 per cent) and discrimination against women (19.71 per cent). 17.47 per cent respondents said they were harassed by offenders who created fake ID in their name, 16.16 per cent said their activities were always followed in cyber space and 13.10 per cent were victims of personal attack for speaking out on gay rights. Furthermore, 11.79 per cent respondents said their private photos were posted on social media without their consent and 11.79 per cent received threat of sexual assault.
3.06 per cent of the respondents revealed that they were photographed or recorded during sexual assault and those were later posted in social media. 2.62 per cent respondents said their picture of intimate moments was posted secretly and they were later blackmailed for money with a threat to release their personal information. 1.75 per cent said their photos were edited and published in pornography site.
The study further found out that most severe impact on women’s life due to online violence is psychological trauma, including depression and anxiety’ (65.07 per cent). The second highest impact is loss of confidence in being active or expressing opinions in social media (42.79 per cent). Being traumatized and losing self-dignity were reported by 25.33 per cent and 24.89 per cent respondents respectively. The study also revealed that emotional distress caused by online violence and harassment is narrowing down women's self-confidence and independence in a severe way.
To raise awareness about online harassment, abuse, and risks, respondents suggested ensuring strict enforcement of the law, quick and visible punishment, online and offline awareness campaigns, and training to make the masses aware of safe digital media usage.
