This brief examines how technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) undermined women’s political participation and representation in Bangladesh, with a particular focus on the February 12, 2026 national elections. Despite women’s central role in the 2024 July Uprising, their political representation remained critically low, with digital violence emerging as a significant barrier to electoral participation. The brief analyzes three prevalent forms of TFGBV experienced by women politicians: appearance-based harassment, gendered disinformation and stereotypes questioning women’s leadership, and AI-generated deepfakes and digitally facilitated sexual violence. It further evaluates Bangladesh’s existing legal framework, including the 2025 Cyber Security Ordinance and the Pornography Control Act, highlighting shortcomings such as legal loopholes, weak enforcement mechanisms, inadequate institutional procedures, and the challenges posed by anonymous online abuse. The brief concludes with policy recommendations that include strengthening legislation, establishing an independent cyber observatory on TFGBV, implementing trauma-informed training for law enforcement and women political leaders, and fostering transnational feminist collaboration to develop survivor-centered, accountable responses to digital gender-based violence.
Read the brief here: 5-25-2026 – Updated Brief on TFGBV in Bangladesh