Diplomatic Desk:
A high-level dialogue was held in Dhaka to address the growing trend of harassment, defamation, and online risks faced by women due to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Ministers, Members of Parliament, government officials, and civil society representatives participated in the dialogue, emphasizing the need to enhance legal, technological, and institutional capacities to prevent such violence.
Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the dialogue took place at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital. Its objectives included establishing common definitions and standards to combat violence against women in the digital and AI-enabled landscape, strengthening legal and technological capabilities, ensuring platform accountability, and bolstering support systems for victims.
The dialogue is part of the ‘Dhaka Dialogue’ initiative launched by Bangladesh. The initiative was previously highlighted at the 10th International Forum on Peace and Security in Dakar, Africa, on April 20, 2026. It aims to foster a coordinated international effort to tackle violence stemming from digital and AI technologies.
Foreign Secretary Ambassador Asad Alam Siam moderated the dialogue. He stated that under the Dhaka Dialogue, work would be undertaken to establish common terminology, standards, and voluntary guidelines for states regarding prevention, investigation, and redress, as well as to define and classify AI-generated content.
Furthermore, initiatives will be taken to set standards ensuring the accountability of social media and technology platforms—focusing on transparency, proper labeling of artificially generated content, and source identification. Special emphasis will be placed on assisting Global South nations in enacting and reviewing laws, training police, prosecutors, and judges on digital evidence and AI forensics, and strengthening support mechanisms for victims.
Speakers at the dialogue included State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam MP, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin Putul MP, and Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Md. Asaduzzaman (MP), Barrister Zahrat Adib Chowdhury (Member of Parliament and technology sector professional), and Sanjida Islam Tuli (MP and founder of ‘Mayer Dak’).
Describing the ‘Dhaka Dialogue’ as a significant initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaid Islam noted that it has created an opportunity to integrate critical real-world issues—such as online safety for women—into Bangladesh’s foreign policy.
State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin Putul highlighted the importance of social protection and victim support systems for women subjected to violence in the digital sphere.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Asaduzzaman pointed out the existing legal and evidentiary limitations regarding the investigation and prosecution of AI-enabled violence. He specifically highlighted the complexities involved in proving harm and establishing liability for crimes committed using artificially generated images, videos, or voices.
Barrister Zahrat Adib Chowdhury urged technology platforms to incorporate safety and security measures into their technology designs from the very beginning. She also emphasized the need to treat transparency regarding artificially generated content as a fundamental responsibility.
Sanjida Islam Tuli called for the establishment of institutional systems that are empathetic and trustworthy for victims. She stressed the need for helplines and grievance redressal mechanisms that allow victims to access assistance without having to navigate multiple government offices.
Participants in the dialogue exchanged views on existing legal gaps, the accountability of technology platforms, strategies to address artificially generated content, and the experiences of various countries in supporting victims.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the next phase would involve an initiative to include interested member states as ‘Friends of the Dialogue.’ Additionally, a technical working group will be formed to draft a preliminary reference document establishing common definitions and standards, which will subsequently be proposed for adoption based on the consensus of participating nations.
