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Project

The Speak UP! project, Bangladesh

Up to 32% of children were identified by UNICEF as victims of online violence in Bangladesh. Photo credit : SDG Studios

In Bangladesh, rising internet use among youth has created both opportunities and risks

Up to 32% of children were identified by UNICEF as victims of online violence in Bangladesh. Many children, especially girls and gender-diverse youth face online child sexual exploitation. The “Speak Up!” project funded by The European Union empowers children and youth in Bangladesh to safely express themselves online. It builds civil society capacity, promotes digital literacy, and advocates for policy reforms to address exploitation online.

 

Background

The Speak UP! project will confront the rising risks of online sexual exploitation and abuse (OSEA), harassment, and cyberbullying affecting children and youth. Adolescents (15–18) and young people (18–24) turned to the internet during the Covid-19 pandemic for education and social connection, but this increased exposure has left them vulnerable. UNICEF reports that up to 32% of children have experienced online violence. While older youth are more digitally literate, both groups often underestimate online threats. For gender-diverse (SOGIESC) youth, online platforms provide space for expression denied offline, yet they remain at heightened risk of harassment and abuse.

The problem is particularly acute for girls and young women—studies show over 63% face online abuse, rising to 70% among women aged 15–25 in Dhaka. Harmful gender norms and social backlash further silence youth voices on sensitive topics like politics, gender, sexuality, and rights, with 71.5% reporting they feel unsafe expressing opinions publicly.

Digital platforms, while enabling youth participation, also amplify disinformation, discrimination, and violence with serious offline consequences, including domestic abuse, mental health challenges, and self-harm. Speak UP! will respond by equipping youth with digital safety knowledge, strengthening reporting and support mechanisms, and fostering rights-based, inclusive online participation.

Goals

Civil Society (including women, youth, and child rights) organizations to be empowered to promote the rights of girls, boys, and gender-diverse children and youth, ensuring their freedom of expression in public discourse and digital spaces.

  • Goal 1

    Strengthen Civil Society Organisational capacity to promote and protect children’s and youth’s digital rights.

  • Goal 2

    Empower children and youth to use digital platforms safely and confidently express opinions.

     

  • Goal 3

    Advocate for gender-transformative policy and legal reforms on online safety and freedom of expression.

Our Approach

The project works in districts of Dhaka, Gazipur, Satkhira and Bagerhat.

Capacity Building of Civil Society Organisations

Capacity building for Civil Society Organisations on digital safety, advocacy, and survivor support.

Training and safe expression spaces

Facilitating youth-focused digital literacy training and safe expression forums.

Stakeholder engagement

Engagement with government, private sector, media, and law enforcement on online protection.

Advocacy and Policy Reform

Working towards survivor-informed advocacy and policy reform initiatives.

Our Results

  • 50 civil society organisations trained and equipped to address online safety.
  • 2,000 children and youth were empowered with digital literacy and advocacy skills.
  • Community protection systems have been strengthened in four districts.
  • Policy briefs and advocacy actions are beginning to influence national digital safety frameworks.

Our Partners

Implementing Partners

Funding partners

European Commission

The European Commission is the EU’s main executive body. It proposes legislation, upholds EU treaties and ensures Member States apply EU law and policies.