A high-level dialogue held in Dhaka on Sunday, jointly hosted by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the Embassy of Switzerland, and UN Women, called for urgent action by political parties and state institutions in Bangladesh to address digital and gender-based violence against women in politics.
The event, part of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, focused on how online harassment, including cyberstalking, doxxing, and smear campaigns, intimidates women and hinders their political participation ahead of the 2026 general election.
Speakers, including Norwegian Ambassador Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen and Swiss Ambassador Reto Renggli, stressed that safe digital spaces are essential for democracy and gender equality.
Through candid testimonies, participants revealed the widespread psychological, social, and political toll of digital violence on women politicians, particularly young women leaders, highlighting institutional gaps in political parties and the lack of mental health support.
The dialogue called on political parties to adopt concrete measures such as reporting mechanisms, digital safety training, and internal codes of conduct against gendered hate speech.
There was also a push to integrate digital literacy and respectful online behavior into national education to foster long-term change.
UN Women Representative Gitanjali Singh emphasized the need for parity in political representation, urging parties to commit to zero tolerance of violence and to promote solidarity across party lines through women’s caucuses.
The discussion linked digital gender violence to broader democratic erosion, warning that silencing women weakens representation and governance.
Immediate priorities identified included stronger accountability, victim protection, research on online violence, and public campaigns to combat misogyny.
The dialogue also highlighted the UN’s ongoing electoral support initiative for the 2026 elections in Bangladesh, funded by Norway and Switzerland, which aims to strengthen election integrity and ensure women’s fearless participation, both online and offline.
