Technology is an ever-changing expression in the digital age that has increased security risks and forced us to create a cyber environment. The use of technology in Bangladesh has increased significantly over recent decades. Meanwhile, new cyberspace threats and challenges are presented to the nation. To deal with these challenges in the region, government and non-government actors offer many awareness-raising initiatives. Cyber warfare has become a more significant concern than nuclear weapons and environmental degradation due to the increasing occurrence of cyber assaults. Most of the population must be aware of cyber security mechanisms and regulations. The associated organizations, as well as the government, are not even concerned about cybercrime issues. To strengthen cyber security policies and procedures, a significant change is required. Moreover, over time, it needs to be supervised and restructured. 

Cybersecurity is very important for Women in Digital. Our communities have reached out about the growing concern regarding cyber crimes. Many women working in the cyber-world have fallen victim to online crimes, including romance scams and social engineering. Women in Digital have taken the time to research and understand these crimes and the demand for cyber-security at home, at school, and at the workplace. We have created educational programs that train and inform more women in the community about this growing problem and how to avoid cyber-criminals. To acknowledge our community of Women in Technology, we have declared the month of September as CyberSecurity for Women month. Our campaigns around this issue have brought awareness to colleges, universities & hostels, law enforcement, journalist groups, and an additional 47 institutes around Bangladesh. We have filed 167 cases within a 30 days of awareness campaign, which is enormous. Within 47 institutes, women in digital have filed these cases. 

Findings from the communities:

Online Violence against women can take many forms, including cyber harassment, revenge porn, and threats of rape, sexual assault, or murder. In addition, there are threats of physical attacks against women. Perpetrators can be partners or ex-partners, colleagues, schoolmates, or as is often the case, anonymous individuals. Some women are particularly exposed, such as women’s rights defenders, journalists, bloggers, video gamers, public figures, and politicians.

Predominantly, the root cause of online violence against women and girls in Bangladesh or any other country is gender inequality (discrimination, gender stereotypes, sexism). Moreover, women who have more than one commonly-targeted characteristic – for example, women of color, members of minority religions, or women who live alone – may be attacked more frequently.

• Girls between 14 and 24 are the most victims of cybercrime.

• Women don't have any idea about the cyber world. 

• Introverted women are primarily involved with virtual romance. 

• Women don’t know cyber laws and regulations.

• ​​Most cyber victims are children of working parents.

• Girls are victims of cyberbullying due to the misuse of social media.

• Indulging in an online romance, girls become a victim of cybercrime.

• Often women end up with their social media accounts hacked. 

• Girls experienced more online harassment than street harassment.

• Cybercrime is increasing day by day as women victims of cybercrime do not seek legal help.

What should be the first step when someone is affected by Cybercrime?

Cybercrime is a global crisis for every country. A person can be a victim of Cybercrime with different issues like unusual comments, posts, or irrelevant pictures or videos on the internet. As people use the internet much more, they can victimize easily, and Cybercrime is alarming in Bangladesh. Women victims of cybercrime are requested to contact law enforcement agencies first and visit their local police station for support after filling out a General diary to start a legal process. There is also some exceptional support from the CID and Police Headquarters, where a victim cannot first begin the procedure.

Police Cyber Support For Women

Police Cyber Support for Women – PCSW is an all women cyber support service by Police Headquarters, Bangladesh Police. Inspector General of Police Dr. Benazir Ahmed, BPM (BAR) inaugurated this service on 16th November, 2020. Police Cyber Support for Women (PCSW) provides assistance in taking necessary legal action pertaining to cyber-crimes committed against women. It extends necessary technological support to women victims of cyber-crime. From the day of inauguration, it promotes and disseminates cyber security related awareness. PCSW ensures confidentiality of victim's information while providing assistance.

Vision: To promote a tech savvy environment for women in cyberspace.

Mission: To provide necessary legal and technological assistance exclusively to female victims in cyber space and to enhance cybersecurity related awareness.

Growing number of complaints suggests that women are feeling more comfortable in availing assistance from female officers. As the first responder, PCSW offers necessary advice and legal assistance to victims, depending on their need. Female officers provide necessary counseling to cyber victims, whenever necessary. For legal assistance,

PCSW connects victims to nearby police stations, suitable police units or victim support centers and coordinates the investigation procedure.

Contacts:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PCSW.PHQ

E-mail: cybersupport.women@police.gov.bd

Hotline: 01320000888

Government Digital Security Act, 2018

An Act to make provisions for ensuring digital security and identification, prevention, suppression and trial of offenses committed through digital device and for matters ancillary there to.

Legal support for how Bangladeshi women can proceed: 

CID and police headquarters, with recent support, have opened a social desk to support women, which is named "police cyber support for women, with a verified Facebook page. Here women can knock for guidance, and sometimes after filling out the general diary at a local police station, the general diary is forwarded to a particular unit depending on the importance of the matter. Dhaka metropolitan police are working for the Dhaka metropolitan area, which consists of 50 local police stations, and CID and police  Headquarters are working for the whole of Bangladesh. And nowadays, even in other districts and metropolitan areas, there is a unique cyber desk to support the victim. These are basic ways where women can have the law enforcing agency beside women.

In 2019, the International Labor Organization adopted a convention to eliminate violence and harassment in the workplace, which defined gender-based violence, which includes sexual harassment. However, Bangladesh's legal framework still lacks a clear definition of sexual harassment. The roles of teachers and guardians are undoubtedly crucial in ensuring safe internet use and safety of students in the world wide web. We certainly do not want our children to desist from using the internet because of cyber insecurity. Therefore, generating and raising awareness of the issue among all stakeholders is important. The Bangladesh public and private sectors should also attach importance to the subject. The relevant laws of Bangladesh have ignored the issue of online sexual harassment. Measures should now be taken to facilitate and encourage women to file cases and utilize technology-based remedies in case of such violence.

Creating healthy entertainment options, sex education, and other social transformations are needed to improve the situation. There is no alternative to removing obstacles and hindrances like parochial social outlooks, lack of digital knowledge, and lack of proactive initiatives by law enforcement agencies if we are to improve the situation. The whole process should also be made female-friendly as women account for most of these harassment cases. It is often seen that the removal of objectionable posts and materials is more urgent than punishing somebody. There is, therefore, a clear need for enhanced interactions and frequent dialogues with various social media platforms for resolving such issues.

The Pornography Control Act, 2012 may also be used in Bangladesh for combating online harassment, but many stakeholders do not even know about its existence. On the other hand, most people are aware about Digital Security, 2018. But this law along with the Prevention of Cruelty against Women and Children Act, 2000 are sometimes used in personal and political conflicts, often leading to violations of human rights. Concerned parties should therefore remain cautious about upholding human rights while applying these laws. Bangladesh Police has set up an online-based service outfit styled 'Police Cyber Support for Women' last year where complaints are received directly from female victims. Officiating members of this outfit are also females because women are comfortable with them. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police also has a Cyber Police Centre where details of such cases are kept. However, there is need for better coordination within the police force as well as among different government departments, ministries and agencies for prevention and remedy of online violence against women across the country.

Transformation of prevailing mentality is essential for curbing violence against women. There are no pills, antibiotic medicines or injections for this malaise. Only harmonious partnerships between men and women are required for success. What is urgently needed is a strong social support system, where women can get prompt help in case of violence including online ones. Besides, a global movement should be waged for ensuring accountability of online platforms like Facebook. Collective and comprehensive endeavours including massive awareness-generation campaigns are required for curbing online violence against women and improving the situation for the greater good of society and nation.

Recommendations

• The government should pass enforceable laws that explicitly protect women from online harassment and hate speech and are applied equally and fairly regardless of political affiliation. Additionally, the government should train or advocate with the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission on online political and gender-based violence.

• Political parties and electoral institutions need to be more active in combating violence against women online. Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) and political parties should conduct civic education to encourage women to participate in politics as voters and candidates and educate voters about civil behavior online during election times. Training BEC staff and political party members on identifying and responding to online violence against women candidates is also necessary. To protect female candidates facing harassment and violence, online support and transparent mechanisms for redress are required.

• Efforts should be made by civil society organizations and professionals to provide a variety of forms of support for women. This includes direct mental health services and psychosocial support for women victims of online harassment and abuse. Women should also receive digital hygiene training to deal with any digital security issues that may arise in the future. This includes hacking, doxing, online impersonation, and the misuse of social media. Civil society can play an instrumental role in developing a systematic response to issues related to online violence toward women on a broader scale. Journalists, fellow citizens, and voters may be trained on how to identify and report online violence against women by civil society. As well as addressing these issues, it can also create initiatives to build ladyship among men. To reduce the incidence of online violence in our community, civil society organizations must identify the root causes of online violence and mainstream online harassment and violence against women into broader violence prevention programs in order to reduce online violence.

Source: Bangladesh Police website. Daily Asian age, Women in Digital own research, survey and data collections. Bangladesh government Digital ACT 2018