Norway and Switzerland Advocate for End to Digital Violence Against Women in Bangladesh

International Call to Action in Dhaka

On December 7, 2025, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the Embassy of Switzerland, and UN Women jointly hosted a high-level dialogue titled 'Power Without Fear: Ending Digital and Gender-Based Violence Against Women in Politics'. The event, held at the Norwegian Residence, underscored the urgent need to ensure women's safety in digital spaces to safeguard democratic participation.

The dialogue was a part of the global '16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence' campaign, aligning with the theme 'UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls'. Envoys from Norway and Switzerland observed that online and gender-based violence continues to disproportionately target women in politics, posing a significant threat to their engagement and democratic processes.

Envoys Emphasize Democratic Imperative

Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, Norway's Ambassador to Bangladesh, stressed that digital spaces have become central to political engagement and must be made safe for women's participation. He stated, 'Women's political participation is essential for inclusive democracy, sustainable development and lasting peace. When women are silenced – through digital harassment, character attacks, threats or physical violence – entire societies lose out.' Ambassador Gulbrandsen called for stronger legal protections, enhanced digital safety measures, accountability for perpetrators, and collective efforts to empower women to participate in politics without fear.

Echoing this sentiment, Reto Renggli, Switzerland's Ambassador to Bangladesh, highlighted the increasing importance of preventing gender-based violence, particularly in the context of Bangladesh's upcoming national elections. He noted that 'Women played a significant role in last year's historic events in Bangladesh. Their participation showed a clear aspiration for equal political representation. We hope the current democratic transition will honour these aspirations and ensure women's participation at all levels.'

The Pervasive Threat of Digital Violence

Participants in the dialogue, including political party representatives, young women leaders, academics, journalists, and gender experts, highlighted the severe psychological, political, and professional consequences of digital attacks on women. Forms of online abuse discussed included:

• Online harassment and intimidation
• Cyberstalking and doxxing
• Smear campaigns and gendered misinformation
• Character assassination and defamation
• Threats of sexual violence

These tactics are increasingly discouraging women from entering or continuing in public and political life, thereby weakening representation and governance. Reports indicate that 73 percent of women journalists experience online violence related to their work globally, and in Bangladesh, 63.51 percent of women face various forms of online violence. Alarmingly, over 85 percent of women who experience cybercrime never file a complaint, often due to fear of stigma or a belief that reporting is futile.

Recommendations for a Safer Digital Future

The dialogue put forth several key recommendations to combat digital violence and foster a more inclusive political environment:

• Strengthening legal frameworks and ensuring effective enforcement
• Implementing robust digital safety measures and providing training
• Establishing clear accountability mechanisms for perpetrators
• Encouraging political parties to adopt concrete measures, including reporting mechanisms and internal codes of conduct against gendered hate speech
• Integrating digital literacy and respectful online behavior into national education curricula
• Promoting a culture of zero tolerance for violence and fostering solidarity among women across party lines
• Investing in research on online violence and launching public campaigns to combat misogyny

The discussions underscored that digital violence is not merely a technological issue but a fundamental human rights and development challenge that restricts women's freedom, safety, and participation. The collective call from Norway, Switzerland, and UN Women aims to ensure that women can engage in political life without fear, contributing fully to democratic societies.