Security concerns, particularly harassment and cyberbullying, are emerging as major obstacles for female students participating on campus-based politics, as seen in the lead-up to the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu) polls.
Candidates and students claim that much of the harassment takes place through anonymous social media accounts, including ‘bot accounts,’ making it difficult to identify the violators.
A taskforce was formed on August 27 to address complaints related to the Ducsu code of conduct violations.
Convenor of the Taskforce on Code of Conduct Professor Golam Rabbani told Times of Bangladesh, “Since its formation, the taskforce has received three cases of cyberbullying from candidates. The total number of complaints is still being counted.”
The university administration has been criticised by some students for failing to take effective action against these issues.
In one noteworthy case, DU authority suspended student Ali Husen for six months after he threatened a student with gang rape for opposing SM Farhad, the GS candidate of the Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed “Oikkyaboddho Sikkharthi Jote” panel. This six-month suspension is currently the harshest penalty the university can impose under its proctorial powers.
Professor Robayet Ferdous from the university’s Department of Mass Communication and Journalism told the Times of Bangladesh that the continued harassment against women is creating significant obstacles, not only in Ducsu elections, but also across the wider campus political scene.
He sharply criticised the administration’s inadequate response to harassment and cyberbullying, stating, “The steps taken are far from sufficient. As long as the patriarchal structure remains entrenched in elections, women candidates will continue to be discouraged. While some women bravely push through these barriers, many others are losing confidence due to persistent safety concerns.”
He added that safety concerns, particularly in online spaces, may undermine women’s confidence to fully participate in student politics.
Although there are allegations that cyberbullying is being used deliberately to discourage women from leadership, students believe such harassment is increasing due to the administration’s lack of necessary action.
Shima Akter, the only female candidate contesting for the position of Social Welfare Secretary in Ducsu, who recently filed a written complaint to the Election Commission against eight students for cyberbullying, told Times, “While the administration has set several rules for offline campaigning, they have failed to introduce any restrictions for online campaigning. As a result, women feel far more insecure on social media.”
She alleged that the issue is not limited to fake accounts spreading misinformation or posting abusive comments. According to her, “Some individuals affiliated with particular groups, though they never openly claim membership-are also actively involved in harassing women to serve certain political party purposes.”
Expressing concern over administration failures, Srijita Ehsan, a candidate contesting for executive member post in the upcoming election, told Times, “The administration is not taking effective action against those involved in harassment, and as a result, the problem is growing.”
Referring to cyberbullying using fake social media accounts, she said most of these attacks come from ‘bot accounts’ , which are difficult to trace. According to her, “If students remain aware, some solutions are possible.”
Several students, including Ducsu candidates, have claimed that despite the administration’s efforts to engage with admins of Facebook groups like ‘Dhaka Bisshobiddalay Shikkharthi Sangsad’ and ‘Dhaka Bisshobiddalay Shikkharthi Sangsad -2’ to curb harmful activities, these groups simply reemerge under new names and continue spreading propaganda.
Concerns about cyberbullying targeting female candidates have been raised by various candidates and panels in the Ducsu election. These attacks reportedly involve groups affiliated with Jatiyotabadi Chatra Dal, Islami Chhatra Shibir, the ‘Shatanta Sikkharti Oikkya’ led by Umama Fatema, the left alliance-backed ‘Protirodh Porshod’, and the ‘Adamya 71 Oporajeyo 24’ panel.
In response, the DUCSU Election Commission said, “Cyberbullying and character attacks, especially against female candidates—are a violation of human rights.” It added, “If proven, the Code of Conduct Taskforce and Cyber Monitoring Cell will take strict legal action against those responsible.”
