Women in Bangladesh are confronting a rapidly escalating crisis of technology-facilitated abuse, with 60,808 women approaching authorities through the Police Cyber Support for Women (PCSW) for cybercrime cases by September 2024, according to data cited by the Dhaka Tribune. The surge spans cyber harassment, blackmail, deepfakes, and coordinated digital attacks, signalling that online violence against women has moved well beyond isolated incidents.

Scale and Nature of Documented Cases

Among the cases documented by PCSW, doxxing — the malicious exposure of personal information — accounted for the largest share at 41 per cent. This was followed by account hacking at 18 per cent, blackmail at 17 per cent, impersonation at 9 per cent, and cyberbullying at 8 per cent.

Experts note that the nature of online abuse has fundamentally shifted — from sporadic trolling to organised, multi-platform harassment campaigns that include non-consensual image sharing, AI-generated deepfakes, and cyberstalking. A 2026 study on deepfake perceptions among Bangladeshi women reportedly revealed growing anxiety over the manipulation of personal images into explicit content.

Experts Warn of Organised Harassment Targeting Visible Women

Professor Salma Akter of the University of Dhaka noted that women who gain any degree of public visibility online frequently become targets of coordinated attacks. 'This is a form of power and control,' the Dhaka Tribune quoted Akter as saying, adding that the consequences extend to mental health and women's participation in public life.

This pattern was starkly illustrated in February, when a viral harassment case involving two women near Dhaka University triggered widespread misogynistic commentary across social media platforms — underscoring how online incidents can rapidly amplify offline prejudice.

UN Women and National Survey Data Paint a Grim Picture

A 2025–26 UN Women report revealed that one-third of surveyed women faced unwanted sexual behaviour online, with many subsequently experiencing offline threats. The report cautioned that AI tools are making abuse more systematic and harder to counter.

A separate 2024 survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and UNFPA found that approximately 89 per cent of women social media users had faced online violence at least once. Critically, nearly 75 per cent did not report incidents, citing stigma and fear of humiliation. Women aged 18–30 were identified as the most affected demographic.

Psychological Toll and the Chilling Effect on Public Life

Psychologists warn that prolonged exposure to digital abuse results in anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and social withdrawal. Clinical psychologist Shahana Parveen stated, 'Many women become afraid of using their phones or avoid social media altogether,' highlighting how sustained harassment creates enduring fear that effectively silences women in public discourse.

Experts additionally warned that digital abuse in Bangladesh is increasingly spilling over into offline intimidation, particularly targeting journalists, activists, and public figures — raising concerns about the broader democratic cost of unchecked online violence.

Advocates Call for Systemic Action

Shahida Akhtar, former President of Bikoshito Nari Network, a women's advocacy group, said that online abuse continues to be treated as a 'virtual problem' despite its serious real-world consequences. 'To build a truly digital Bangladesh, ensuring a safe online environment for women is a human rights issue,' the Dhaka Tribune quoted her as saying.

With AI-powered tools lowering the barrier to abuse and reporting rates remaining critically low, advocates argue that Bangladesh faces a defining moment in how it chooses to protect women's rights in digital spaces.