As fast as Bangladesh's social, political and economic progress has been, social awareness and changes in mentality have not kept pace with it. No matter how many laws and policies the country formulates to protect women's rights, safety and dignity, in reality, women are still victims of discrimination, harassment and psychological oppression at various levels. The most frightening thing is that a new type of violence and oppression has emerged in the digital age, which is tagging and cyberbullying.
These two words are no longer unfamiliar. The incidents of personal attacks, derogatory comments, spreading false information, defamation or sharing sexually suggestive content against women on social media are increasing day by day. Especially, anyone who speaks against women's rights, women's safety, sexual harassment or discrimination in a patriarchal society is quickly attacked with tags like 'shahbaghi', 'feminist' etc. As a result, the main issue—the demand for women's rights and safety—takes a back seat; character assassination of the person comes to the fore.
The number of internet users in Bangladesh is currently several crores. Among them, various platforms including Facebook, X (Twitter), YouTube, TikTok are being used by everyone from young people to policymakers. This vast digital ocean of people has opened up new horizons for information flow and mass movements on the one hand, and on the other hand, it has created 'digital mobs'—where a section of online users carry out organized or random attacks targeting individuals.
When a women's rights activist, journalist, writer or any ordinary woman raises her voice against any kind of torture, harassment or discrimination, instead of constructively criticizing her statement, she is attacked by finding out the details of her personal life. Some even spread fake pictures, distorted videos, false stories and defamation. This coordinated attack happens so quickly that the victim becomes mentally disturbed.
Tagging or putting a 'label' on social media is not just a kind of ugly behavior, but it is a strategy. Through it, people are diverted from their real statements. For example, calling someone 'feminist' or 'shahbaghi' is not just a name; rather, it contains sarcasm, hatred, and a kind of moral judgment. As a result, ordinary people start to remain silent for fear of receiving such a 'tag'. This fear actually causes the biggest harm—because if someone does not open their mouth on the issue of women's rights or safety, the problem remains hidden. And thus, tagging has gradually become a kind of social censorship.
Along with tagging, cyberbullying is now a terrifying reality. Women are regularly subjected to nasty messages, threats, or blackmail in Facebook inboxes, comment sections, Twitter replies, and even emails. The issue is not limited to emotional distress; due to this, many women are socially isolated, face problems at work, and even leave their professions or platforms due to a loss of self-esteem. Various studies say that a large portion of women who use the internet in Bangladesh are victims of online harassment and cyberbullying. But only a few of them can seek legal help. This is because of the complexity of the legal process on the one hand, and the fear of social shame on the other.
“Now no one cares, no one cares.” This silence and indifference is the root of the problem. When people regularly see injustice but do not protest, it becomes ‘normalized’. Targeting and insulting women, dragging out pictures or information from their personal lives, using foul language—everything seems to have become normal. This is the bystander effect in the language of social psychology—where everyone thinks that someone else will definitely protest, so I didn’t. But as a result, criminals are emboldened to continue spreading misinformation, harassment, or bullying against women online.
Bangladesh has several laws, including the Digital Security Act, that can be used to take action against online harassment or defamation. However, there are questions about how effective these laws have been in protecting women in practice.
Firstly, the complex and lengthy provisions of the law discourage the victim. Secondly, even if they file a complaint with the cybercrime unit, the hassle of collecting evidence, identifying the perpetrators and pursuing the case mentally exhausts the victim. Thirdly, social shame and fear of retaliation force women to remain silent. In addition, even if laws are enacted, this problem cannot be solved through law alone if social awareness is not created.
To stop tagging and cyberbullying, the media, educational institutions, and social organizations must work together. Courses on digital ethics and cybersecurity can be introduced at the school-college and university levels. The media must protect the privacy of the victim and publish awareness-raising reports. We must stand by women's rights activists, provide accurate explanations for their statements, and increase fact-checking to stop the spread of fake news and slander. Although the state and institutions have to play a major role, women can still take some protective steps at the individual level—not sharing personal information, pictures, or locations openly. Seeking legal help by keeping screenshots, links, and evidence of the harasser. Tightening privacy settings on social media. Using the block/report option of the harasser to reduce psychological stress.
However, these are only preventive measures—not solutions to the root problem. Changing social mindsets is the key. Legal and technological measures are as necessary as changing mindsets to stop tagging and cyberbullying. Our society still tends to divide women into 'respectable' and 'disrespectable'. A woman who speaks out against injustice is relentlessly 'tagged' and insulted. Whereas, if a man does the same thing, he is called 'brave'.
Unless this double standard is changed, the fight for women's rights will always be unequal. Just as boys are not taught gender equality equally within the family, there is no effective moral education in schools and colleges. Therefore, public discourse, media campaigns, and family education are of immense importance to change social attitudes.
Also, ensure speedy tribunals in cyberbullying cases, safety and privacy of the victim. Strengthen content moderation at the local level on platforms like Facebook, X or YouTube. Government, NGOs and social organizations to jointly run awareness programs on digital ethics. Psychological and legal support hotlines for women journalists, writers, activists. Evidence-based journalism instead of fake news and slander.
Tagging and cyberbullying are now not just personal problems, but have become a major obstacle to social justice and human rights. Its impact on protecting women's rights is far-reaching. Because the main goal of this attack is to silence women's voices, to intimidate them. However, history says that no injustice or discrimination lasts forever if people are aware and organized. Therefore, what we need now is solidarity, moral courage and awareness. It is not the fear of getting 'tagged' on the issue of women's rights or security, but the courage to break the 'tag' and bring the truth to the fore. Stopping cyberbullying and tagging will not only ensure women's safety; it will also pave the way for building a just, respectful and humane society. If we fail to protect and respect women in the digital age, no matter how advanced technology becomes, our social development will remain incomplete.
The writer is an student of Mathematics Department at Jagannath University She can be reached at Email: sadia15.jnu@gmail.com
