Written by Tasfia Tarannum Ridita and Abdullah Hel Bubun
In Bangladesh, digital spaces often mirror societal prejudices, putting marginalised groups at significant risk. In a country where same-sex relationships are criminalised, and gender is viewed through a strict binary lens, transgender and hijra individuals face widespread misunderstandings. The film Echoes of Exile sheds light on how transgender identities are often conflated with intersex traits, ignoring the concept of gender as a social construction. The distinction between identity and biology also gets disregarded. These misconceptions substantiate harmful stereotypes, deepening stigma and making gender-diverse individuals, including the hijra community, more vulnerable to both online violence and real-world hostility.
The issue is mirrored in the struggle of Babuni and Nishi from the film Echoes of Exile. Babuni, a 42-year-old hijra and social worker, becomes a target of online extremism. Nishi, another hijra person, is forced to flee home after her photos of her feminine attire are leaked online. Both face societal rejection and digital violence, highlighting how online hate leads to real-world isolation and harm.
Transgender and hijra individuals in Bangladesh confront immense challenges. Despite being recognised as a third gender in 2013, they continue to face societal marginalisation and legal neglect.
The Patterns and Impacts of Online Violence
In recent years, transgender identities and expressions have emerged as a controversial issue in Bangladesh Politics, fueling polarised debates between conservative and progressive factions. The politicisation has triggered violent campaigns against transgender and hijra individuals both in digital and physical spaces, often framed as resistance to “Western influence” or “cultural decadence”. These campaigns leverage technology to execute gender-based violence in several forms, including hate speech, doxxing, cyberstalking, death threats, organised misinformation campaigns, and non-consensual outlines.
Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) in Bangladesh has turned digital platforms like Facebook and Telegram into hubs for extremist hate campaigns, inciting real-world violence. Advocacy for gender-diverse communities has suffered, with the 2016 killings of activists Xulhaz Mannan and Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy forcing organisations underground. In 2022, JusticeMakers Bangladesh recorded 46 violent incidents against gender-diverse individuals. Institutions face relentless attacks, too.
For Nishi, the repercussions were immediate. Her father’s discovery of her leaked photos led to a violent confrontation, forcing her to leave home. Babuni’s years of community service couldn’t shield her from public harassment spurred by digital hate campaigns, leaving her questioning the safety of her lifelong neighbourhood.
Responses to the Crisis
Despite the alarming rise in TFGBV, government actions to address the issue have been minimal. While digital safety and human rights are enshrined in policy frameworks, implementation remains weak. Civil society organisations (CSOs) and NGOs have had to navigate the crisis largely on their own, often prioritising their safety over advocacy efforts.
Private sector and CSO initiatives have emerged as crucial counterforces. Some campaigns focus on digital literacy and cyber safety training for vulnerable communities. Some others advocate for stricter regulations against online hate speech, which often takes an undemocratic shape. However, these efforts lack the scale and institutional backing needed to combat the systemic nature of the problem.
Moving Forward: Ensuring Digital Equity and Safety
Addressing the digital challenges faced by gender-diverse communities like Babuni and Tithi from Echoes of Exile requires stronger laws against online harassment, public education to dismantle misconceptions, and accountability for social media platforms. Collaborative efforts with NGOs and activists can build safety frameworks, while support networks must offer legal aid, counselling, and shelter.
In Bangladesh, the digital space allows self-expression but also fuels violence against gender-diverse individuals, forcing many, like Nishi, into hiding and Babuni to consider leaving her lifelong home. Inclusive platforms, government action, and public awareness are essential to combat hate and ensure safety.
And the time to act is now.
