Mymensingh Correspondent

A training on ‘Combating Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence' was organised at the Mymensingh Shapla Resource Centre auditorium by the Bangladesh NGO Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) recently.

In line with the development of information technology, its misuse is also increasing, and harassment through technology has also increased. People from different walks of life are constantly being harassed online, a significant number of whom are women. A recent study has shown that more than 78% of women in Bangladesh have been victims of gender-based violence through technology.

This training was organized to raise awareness and strengthen the role of representatives of women-led civil society organizations, women leaders, and human rights defenders in the Mymensingh region to prevent gender-based violence through technology.

The objective of the training was to provide ideas and raise awareness among women representatives of civil society organizations, women leaders, and women representatives of human rights protection organizations about preventing gender-based violence through technology.

Nishtha Unnayan Sangha is providing overall support as a supporting organization in organizing the training in the Mymensingh region. At the beginning of the training, Mr. Swadheen Chowdhury, Executive Director of Nishtha Unnayan Sangha, delivered a welcome speech and discussed the context of gender-based violence committed with the help of technology in the Mymensingh region. BNNRC CEO AHM Bazlur Rahman and Program Coordinator Hiren Pandit conducted the training.

The trainees were made aware of the impact of technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Although this violence is considered less serious or less harmful, its widespread impact is observed. Still, research shows that it has had a profound effect on the health, lives, and future of women and girls, posing a perilous threat to the safety and well-being of women and girls.

When women rely on online spaces for their professional lives, gender-based violence facilitated by technology also has a profound impact on their financial opportunities and access to resources. In addition, Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence hinders women’s online presence/participation and reduces their involvement in public and political life, democratic processes, and leadership roles. As a result, gender-based violence facilitated by technology reinforces patriarchal roles, norms, and structures, becoming an obstacle to achieving gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Mir Akram Uddin Ahmed, Director, PID, Mymensingh, was present as the chief guest at the closing ceremony.

Din Mohammad Dinu, Deputy Director, Public Relations, Mymensingh Agricultural University, was present as the special guest. Certificates were distributed at the end of the training.

BNNRC’s work effort is to develop the media on both knowledge-based and ongoing media issues, taking into account the challenges and opportunities of the rapidly changing reality of the media. BNNRC works as a knowledge-driven media development organization in the regional, national, and international arenas. It is a Special Consultative Organization of the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society and the United Nations Economic and Social Council. It is the winner and champion of the United Nations WSIS Prize in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023.