Cyber movements regarding violence against women in Bangladesh: Breaking the silence for justice

This study investigates the role of cyber movements and social media activism in addressing violence against women in Bangladesh through the frameworks of cyberfeminism and hashtag feminism. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 25 women—including survivors, students, and activists—and content analysis of major online campaigns (#JusticeForTonu, #MeToo, #RageAgainstRape), the study examines how women perceive digital activism, the barriers they encounter, and the broader societal impacts. Findings highlight that online platforms provide survivors with new opportunities to share experiences, overcome stigma, and mobilize solidarity across geographic and social divides. Hashtags and viral campaigns were perceived as powerful tools for raising awareness, amplifying marginalized voices, and pressuring institutions to acknowledge gender-based violence. However, participation remains uneven, shaped by structural barriers such as the digital divide, weak infrastructure, and lack of literacy, as well as cultural constraints including fear of retaliation, patriarchal norms, and stigma. Women also face trolling, online harassment, and emotional exhaustion when engaging in activism. Despite these challenges, cyber movements are reshaping public discourse, empowering survivors, influencing policy debates, and connecting local struggles to global feminist movements. The study concludes that while digital activism alone cannot ensure systemic reform, it plays a critical role in breaking silence, mobilizing awareness, and advancing social justice in patriarchal contexts like Bangladesh