Patterns of online impersonation violence and mental health consequences among women in Bangladesh

Digital connectivity has spread rapidly to provide new access to empowering women in education, employment, and civil engagement while concurrently placing them under increased risks of violence against women (VAW) online. While Online Violence against Women (OVAW) has often been noted globally as a non-communicable neglected public health problem, empirical knowledge for Bangladesh is sparse, disjointed, and mostly on students. This research employs an integrated General Strain–Intersectional Feminism theory as its theoretical framework, extending global OVAW theory by revealing how patriarchal honor rules in Bangladesh exacerbate online abuse into distinctly severe forms of reputational strain. To address these gaps, an exploratory sequential mixed-methods studies were applied to synthesize semi-structured interviews with a cross-sectional online questionnaire (N = 202) that was conducted from July to August 2024. The statistical analyses also reveal significant links between the prevalence and severity of OVAW and women’s internet use intensity, place of residence, and employment status. Women living in rural areas and those engaged in paid work were found to be disproportionately affected. By distinguishing among different forms of online abuse and tracing their varied psychological, behavioral, and physical impacts, this study offers new insight into the scope and consequences of OVAW in low- and middle-income settings. Findings indicate that impersonation and hate speech were most frequent modes of OVAW, with nearly two out of every five young women being subjected to impersonation and more than a quarter being subjected to hate speech. Moreover, psychological harms were most prominent: depression and social withdrawal being reported by more than 60% of respondents, with numerous respondents also reporting erosion of trust in others. These findings suggest that OVAW in Bangladesh is not simply an extension of global trends but is sustained by entrenched patriarchal norms, persistent stigma, and limited institutional safeguards. It calls for comprehensive policy measures combining digital literacy initiatives, accessible mental health services, and stronger accountability frameworks to foster a safer and more equitable digital environment for women.