Digital Trafficking of Women and Girls in Bangladesh: Legal and Policy Imperatives
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https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15872775Keywords:
Digital Trafficking, Female Trafficking, Bangladesh, Legal Framework, Policy ReformAbstract
The rise of digital technology has transformed the landscape of human trafficking, enabling traffickers to exploit online platforms for the recruitment, manipulation, and coercion of vulnerable populations. In Bangladesh, women and girls have emerged as primary targets of this evolving form of exploitation, facilitated by social media, messaging apps, and digital grooming tactics. This study investigates the phenomenon of digital trafficking in Bangladesh with a specific focus on the legal and policy responses to these emerging threats. Drawing on secondary data, legal analysis, and documented case studies, the article critically examines the extent to which current laws, such as the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act, 2012 and the Cyber Security Act, 2023 adequately address online-facilitated trafficking. Findings reveal substantial limitations in existing legal frameworks, institutional coordination, and digital enforcement capacities. The research argues for urgent legal reform, enhanced digital forensic capabilities, and structured partnerships with technology platforms to combat trafficking in the digital realm. The article concludes with actionable policy recommendations aimed at strengthening the protection of women and girls in cyberspace and ensuring accountability for digital perpetrators.
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