As Bangladesh’s digital footprint explodes at breakneck pace, a murkier trend runs alongside it: a surge in online harassment, cyberbullying and digital abuse directed squarely at women. In response to increased public concern, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to a “Zero Tolerance to Gender-Based and Online Violence, Hate and Bullying” policy, signalling that digital safety for women is now a front-line national priority.
Digital Safety Categorised as Critical Vulnerability
According to the National Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 and the Gender Budget Report FY27 published along with the budget, women in Bangladesh are disproportionately vulnerable to online harassment, cyberbullying, privacy invasion, hate speech and other digital abuses. This exposure is damaging the mental health of women and driving many women away from online spaces altogether, from professional networking to public discussion, officials say.
The reports also highlight cyberbullying as a continuing issue in secondary and higher education, adding psychological pressure on female students and contributing to higher dropout rates, a problem that connects digital safety directly to educational equity.
What the Government Is Suggesting
The election manifesto of the ruling party has translated into a zero tolerance approach, which has resulted in a set of concrete legal and institutional measures. The government will pass and strictly enforce laws against cyber violence and sexual harassment and ensure investigations and prosecutions of cyber offenders are speedier and more just in the courts.
In support of this, authorities plan to build specialised institutional infrastructure, including a dedicated intelligence unit and a cybercrime tracking system, specifically designed to reduce online violence and oppression against women. Plans are also in place to run nationwide awareness campaigns through mainstream media and religious institutions to change public attitudes around digital abuse.
On the education front, the ICT Division is developing women-friendly cybersecurity training and is endeavouring to weave digital safety into the school curriculum, providing students with fundamental data security skills from an early age.
The FY27 budget supports these commitments with Tk 167.6 crore earmarked for the programme area to ensure cybersecurity and reduce violence and oppression against women. The government is committed to creating inclusive workplaces free from
discrimination and will adopt a zero tolerance policy against any form of violence or sexual harassment against women workers, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said in his budget speech highlighting the priority.
The Legal Framework: Cyber Security Act, 2026
Much of the promised crackdown hinges on the evolving Cyber Security Act, 2026, which has become the country’s main cyber law framework, replacing the earlier Digital Security Act, 2018 and the Information and Communication Technology Act, 2006.
Section 25(1) of the Act criminalises intentional transmission, publication or threat to publish content, including videos or images, for purposes such as blackmail, sexual harassment, revenge pornography or sextortion carried out through digital or electronic platforms.
Section 25(2) states the penalties: offenders will be sentenced to a maximum of two years in jail, or a maximum fine of Tk 10 lakh, or both. The punishment is more severe if the victim is a woman or a child under 18 years of age, with imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to Tk 20 lakh or both.
Section 8 allows the Director General of the National Cyber Security Agency to order the removal or blocking of harmful online content and to request the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to take immediate action against offending material.
In another development, a cabinet committee, which is supposed to review the draft “Cyber Security (Amendment) Act, 2026”, met at the Posts and Telecommunications Division in the Secretariat on July 15. The committee discussed amendments to keep pace with the fast-changing developments of information technology, to improve cybersecurity, to protect the rights of citizens and to ensure a safer digital environment, and suggestions to make the draft law more up-to-date and workable.
A Problem Beyond the Control of the Law
“The size of the challenge explains the urgency. Cybersecurity experts cited research showing that a large majority of female social media users in Bangladesh have been victims of some form of online violence, particularly women aged 18-30. Most incidents still take place on Facebook and Messenger, from fake profiles and hacking to doxxing, blackmail and non-consensual image sharing.
Historically, however, enforcement has lagged the size of the problem. The conviction rate for cybercrime cases has been strikingly low and a large share of victims never formally report abuse for fear of stigma or retaliation. It is this enforcement gap that the government’s latest measures aim to close – not a lack of law on paper.
The budget commitments and the tougher penalty regime in Section 25, together with the amendment process underway, all suggest a government trying to close the gap between legislation and the lived experience of women online. How fast the proposed intelligence unit, tracking system and amended law can transition from committee rooms to real enforcement on the ground will determine whether the pledged “iron-fisted” approach turns into faster convictions, safer platforms and more trust among victims to come forward.
Summary
Dhaka has reiterated its pledge to combat online violence against women, with the FY27 national budget identifying digital safety as a key vulnerability. There are plans for stricter cyber laws, faster prosecution, a dedicated intelligence unit and nationwide awareness campaigns, supported by ongoing amendments to the Cyber Security Act, 2026.
