Shama Obaid calls for preventing digital violence against women

Bangladesh has called for stronger global action to prevent technology-facilitated violence against women and girls.

The call was made by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam at a ministerial-level roundtable titled 'Technology-Facilitated Violence Against Women and Girls in the G-77 and Emerging Partners' held in New York as a side event during the high-level week of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed the information in a press release on Friday, September 25.

Shama Obaid said Bangladesh has further strengthened legal and institutional initiatives to prevent violence against women and girls.

These include prompt investigation and trial proceedings, legal aid, social protection, rehabilitation, safe shelter and psychosocial support programmes. She also highlighted the recently launched special 'Pink Bus Service' for women aimed at ensuring safe public transport for women.

The state minister also highlighted Bangladesh's role in protecting women in conflict-affected situations. She mentioned Bangladesh's contribution to UN peacekeeping operations and the steps taken to support Rohingya women and girls who have taken shelter in Bangladesh.

At the meeting, she highlighted Bangladesh-led initiative 'Dhaka Dialogue' to prevent digital harassment. Under this initiative, steps have been taken to formulate voluntary guidelines for preventing, investigating and tackling digital harassment.

She called on member states to join the 'Group of Friends' of this initiative.

The roundtable, organised by Croatia and UN Women, discussed emerging digital threats against women and girls, such as online harassment, defamation, identity fraud and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven abuse.