Barishal: A multi-stakeholder community dialogue was held here in the district today to address the pressing issue of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the event was organized by the Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) and titled “Combating Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence: Current Landscape, Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategic Responses”. This initiative was part of BNNRC’s ongoing project “Strengthening Resilience against TFGBV and Promoting Digital Development.”
Upazila Women’s Affairs Officer Jahanara Parveen and Assistant Professor of Barishal University’s Department of Mass Communication and Journalism Imran Hossain also spoke at the event with Professor Gazi Zahid Hossain in the chair. The discussion brought together 42 participants from various sectors including local administration, representatives from Barishal Cyber Police unit, District Women Affairs officer, educators, the Internet Service Provider Association, women-led NGOs, women’s rights organizations, and representatives from organizations such as SANAK, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, The Hunger Project, MJF, the Web Foundation, youth organizations, and Aparajeyo Bangladesh.
This dialogue is part of the Nagorikata – Civic Engagement Fund (CEF) Programme, implemented with technical support from GFA Consulting Group and funded by the Embassy of Switzerland and Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The primary objective was to foster community-driven solutions, encourage strategic networking, and build collaborative partnerships to create safer digital spaces and a resilient digital development ecosystem.
Mission Head of Speed Trust AHM Shamsul Islam delivered the welcome speech, outlining the event’s objectives and expected outcomes. Deputy Team Leader of the Civic Engagement Fund (CEF) Katharina K’nig provided an overview of the Nagorikata initiative, detailing the CEF’s objectives, key outcomes, stakeholders, governance structure, and targeted beneficiaries.
BNNRC CEO AHM Bazlur Rahman presented a keynote titled “Understanding Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence,” discussing its definitions, forms, impacts, and existing legal and policy measures. Cultural personality and writer Shuvankar Chakraborty delivered a second keynote on “Current Landscape of TFGBV in Barishal: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategic Responses.” A panel discussion followed, focusing on the critical role of multi-sector stakeholders in addressing TFGBV.