Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman has said Bangladesh needs an effective legal framework to prevent digital and artificial intelligence (AI)-facilitated violence against women.
The government will review existing laws and consider introducing new legislation and provisions, while taking the views of relevant stakeholders into account, he said while speaking at the Dhaka Dialogue: Ending Digital and AI-Facilitated Violence Against Women at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka today (10 September), organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to a press release.
He said Bangladesh already has laws to address cyberbullying, cyber harassment and violence against women through digital platforms. However, the rapid development of AI is creating new forms of risk that require additional safeguards.
The government is reviewing legislation and international experiences to identify effective ways to address these emerging threats, he said.
Asaduzzaman said consultations with stakeholders had begun on possible amendments to cybersecurity-related legislation.
“Since issues such as freedom of expression are closely involved, legislation in this area requires broad consultation and a participatory process,” he said.
He also highlighted government initiatives aimed at strengthening women’s legal rights and security.
The government is working to introduce digital registration and documentation of marriages and divorces, which he said could help prevent child marriage, forced marriage and other irregularities.
He said the government was also strengthening dispute resolution through legal aid and mediation.
The law minister stressed that tackling digital and AI-facilitated violence requires cooperation among the government, civil society, technology stakeholders and other relevant actors.
“Any positive and effective recommendations in this regard will be considered seriously by the government,” he said.
The event was moderated by Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam.
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairperson Jaharat Adib Chowdhury, Foreign Affairs State Minister Shama Obaed, Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare State Minister Farzana Sharmin Putul, Sanjida Islam Tulee MP and Women and Children Affairs Ministry Secretary Rowshan Ara Begum also spoke at the event.
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