In a joint effort to spark dialogue and raise awareness, BLAST and IID, in collaboration with the Cyber Teens Foundation and Safety Net, organized a consultation on the ‘Proposed Cyber Protection Ordinance, 2024’. The event took place at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in Dhaka and brought together participants from diverse backgrounds to discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by the ordinance.
The consultation provided a platform for legal experts, activists, and representatives of marginalized communities to share their insights and recommendations. It was a melting pot of ideas aimed at shaping a more inclusive and secure cyberspace for all.
One of the key speakers at the event was Sumaiya Islam, a member of the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission and Executive Director of Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra. Her speech underscored the importance of grassroots consultations in policy-making processes. She brought attention to several pressing issues:
- AI Exploitation of Female Migrant Workers: Sumaiya Islam shed light on the exploitation of female migrant workers through AI tools and emphasized the need for urgent intervention to protect their rights.
- Discrimination in Court Proceedings: She highlighted the challenges faced by visually and speech-impaired women in accessing justice due to systemic discrimination in court systems.
- Ensuring Women’s Safety: She advocated for policies that would guarantee women’s safety, equal rights, and access to secure employment opportunities in both offline and online spaces.
Special Provisions for Teenagers in Cyber Laws
Sadat Rahman, founder of Cyber Teens Foundation and winner of the International Children’s Peace Prize 2020, emphasized the importance of including special provisions in the proposed ordinance to protect teenagers from online crimes. He stated:
“Teenagers require specific legal protections in cyberspace. If a teenager is blackmailed or exploited online, the punishment for the perpetrator should be more severe than that of a similar crime committed against an adult. Given the vulnerability of teenagers, cyber laws must ensure stricter penalties for offenders targeting young people.”
The event marked an important step towards fostering a more inclusive and equitable cyberspace, urging all stakeholders to contribute to the shaping of the Cyber Protection Ordinance, 2024, to address the concerns of vulnerable communities effectively.
The collaboration among BLAST, IID, Cyber Teens Foundation, and Safety Net reflects the shared commitment to safeguarding digital rights and empowering marginalized voices in the policy-making process.
