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Specific laws needed to combat cyber harassment

Discussants tell roundtable
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
There is an absence of a clear legal framework and proper definitions when it comes to cyber violence against women, speakers said at an event yesterday.They urged for specific legislation to combat such crimes.
The roundtable, titled “Scanning the Horizon: Addressing Cyber Violence against Women and Youth Through Policy and Awareness”, was jointly organised by UNDP and The Daily Star at The Daily Star Centre.
Anowarul Haq, assistant resident representative at UNDP, said digital violence is a reality we cannot ignore.
“As the legal framework is weak and there is no clear definition of cyber violence, this issue must be addressed under specific legislation,” he said.
He urged the government to strengthen law enforcement agencies through specialised training, recruit gender-sensitive personnel, and incorporate cyber violence awareness into school curricula.
Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua criticised the lack of clarity regarding digital rights and laws.
“Our laws fail to define and address globally recognised forms of cyber violence, let alone ensure justice… We haven’t even established the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center,” he said.
He called for judicial training on sensitive gender-related issues.
Rezwan Islam, regional editor at Global Voices, stressed the absence of institutional policies on cyber violence.
“A comprehensive policy is urgently needed in organisations,” he said.
Investments are necessary to create safer digital spaces, he added.
Sharmin Ahmed, senior vice president at Mutual Trust Bank, linked a lack of digital literacy to harassment and fraud in cyberspace. She called for private sector involvement in enhancing digital literacy.
UNDP Research Analyst Faisal Bin Majid urged women to remain vigilant and resilient against growing cyber violence.
Sharmin Islam, gender team lead at UNDP, said her organisation is working to bridge the digital divide. “Women face new forms of harassment regularly, even while engaging in e-commerce. When they seek police help, a lack of expertise often worsens their problems,” she said. She advocated for smarter policing and victim counselling services.
Misinformation and disinformation targeting women, particularly during elections, were also discussed. Qadaruddin Shishir, fact-check editor at AFP, said such tactics are used for personal vengeance or political gain.
“Alarmingly, the state was previously involved in spreading disinformation, and now political parties and groups are adopting these tactics,” he said.
The lack of counselling services for victims was highlighted by Maliha Tabassum, assistant professor at the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Bangladesh University of Professionals. She called for culturally driven programmes and a shift in the mindset of law enforcement.
Golam Sarwar, a UNDP consultant,
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