A view exchange meeting was held at Lalmatia in the capital on Wednesday marking the Human Rights Day-2025. VOICE, a rights-based organisation working to advance freedom of expression, digital rights, and inclusive civic space, organized the programme with the support of UNESCO, following the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
Journalists, civil society representatives, human rights activists, women leaders, youth representatives, and indigenous community leaders participated in the programme and discussed focusing on digital violence against women and girls, and journalists’ safety after the July Uprising.
Speakers at the event emphasized on human rights protection.
Highlighting institutional responsibility, human rights analyst and activist Monjur Rashid said, “Protecting journalists and addressing digital violence must be treated as a human rights obligation. This requires legal reform, accountable institutions, and cross-sector collaboration so that technology strengthens democracy rather than undermines it. As the national election approaches, political parties must clearly commit to human rights and be accountable for delivering on those commitments.”
Ahmed Swapan Mahmud, Executive Director of VOICE, emphasized the urgency of action, noting, “Human rights cannot wait, especially during times of political transition. When journalists are attacked andwomen are silenced, society as a whole loses. Ending digital violence and ensuring journalist safety is central to rebuilding trust, justice, and democratic resilience.”
Reflecting on newsroom realities, the journalist community stated, “Journalists have faced unprecedented risks since July, from physical assaults on the streets to coordinated online smear campaigns. For women reporters, these threats are compounded by gendered abuse designed to destroy credibility and push them out of public life.”
The keynote presentation, titled “Human Rights Situation Analysis: Ending Digital Violence and Defending Journalists,” was delivered by Musharrat Mahera, Deputy Director, Programmes, VOICE. She emphasized that digital violence directly violates freedom of expression, privacy, dignity, and participation in public life, and stressed that ending such violence is essential not only for gender justice but also for protecting press freedom and the public’s right to information.
Drawing on her long experience advocating for marginalized communities, Nadira Pervin, Programme Manager at Nagorik Uddyog, noted that rethinking activism to ensure more inclusive, co-created spaces is essential for achieving meaningful impact. She emphasized that the media also has a critical role to play by amplifying success stories through positive, responsible storytelling that resonates with the broader public and builds collective support.
