Bangladesh Pushes for Stronger Global Role on Women’s Rights and Leadership
Bangladesh is seeking a stronger international role in advancing women’s rights, from tackling digital harassment to increasing women’s participation in peacebuilding. The government plans a global dialogue on online harassment while its UN envoy has called for greater investment in women’s leadership.
In a Nutshell:
- State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam announced plans for a global platform against digital harassment of women at an event in Dhaka on September 3.
- Bangladesh plans to host an “Ending Digital Harassment Against Women: Dhaka Dialogue” before the upcoming UN General Assembly session.
- The proposal was first raised by Bangladesh at the Dakar Peace and Security Forum around three months ago.
- Bangladesh’s UN envoy Irene Zubaida Khan has separately called for greater and more meaningful participation of women in peace processes.
- Khan urged greater investment in young women’s digital access and literacy.
- She also called for sustained support for women-led organisations working in conflict prevention, humanitarian response and peacebuilding.
- The government is preparing its third National Action Plan under UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
Context
The two initiatives place women’s rights and participation at the centre of Bangladesh’s current international engagement. In Dhaka, Shama Obaed Islam said Bangladesh wants to establish and lead a global platform to address digital harassment against women. The government plans to promote the initiative during the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week. At the UN Headquarters in New York, Irene Zubaida Khan called for women to have a full and meaningful role in peace processes. She also highlighted digital access and literacy for adolescent girls and young women as part of building stronger female leadership.
Why it matters
Digital harassment does not stop at national borders, making it difficult for one government to address on its own. The two initiatives show that Bangladesh is treating women’s participation as an issue that extends beyond traditional gender policy. Digital safety, political participation and peacebuilding are increasingly connected: women cannot fully participate in public life if they face harassment online or remain excluded from decisions that affect them. This also creates an opportunity for Bangladesh to turn its international advocacy into stronger domestic policies.
What we think
A Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation monitoring found a 6.8% month-on-month rise in violence against women and children in August. At this point, Bangladesh needs that international commitment to be matched by visible action at home, and urgently.