Emerging women leaders in Bangladesh are facing escalating cyber harassment and AI-driven defamation as the national election approaches. Reports from multiple political parties indicate that female candidates are being targeted through online abuse, fake videos, and manipulated content aimed at silencing their voices. Leaders from the National Change Party (NCP), BNP, and other groups described organized campaigns of cyberbullying, sexual harassment, and threats, often involving AI-generated obscene materials. Victims claim that despite filing complaints, law enforcement responses remain inadequate.

According to data cited in the report, over 60,000 women sought help from the Police Cyber Support for Women by September 2024, with many cases involving doxing, hacking, and blackmail. UN Women’s 2025 report found that 66 percent of Bangladeshi women received abusive or threatening messages online. Academics and rights advocates warn that the misuse of AI and social media is eroding women’s participation in politics, as female candidacy rates have dropped from 4.86 percent in 2024 to 3.7 percent in 2026.

Experts and activists urge stronger enforcement of cybercrime laws, institutional reforms within political parties, and collaboration with digital platforms to curb AI-based harassment and protect women’s political engagement.