Students and Women’s Football Stars Unite to Stand Against Cyber Harassment

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh, in partnership with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and the ICT Division, launched the "One Field, Many Voices" campaign today at Sir John Wilson School in Dhaka to promote diversity, inclusion, and digital safety through the power of sports.

The event marked the first of the two school activations under the nationwide awareness campaign led by UNDP's Partnerships for a More Tolerant, Inclusive Bangladesh (PTIB) project. It brought together national women's football players, diplomats, school students, and educators to raise awareness on cyberbullying, online hate, and the role of sports in fostering unity across Bangladesh's diverse communities.

The campaign builds on a recent social listening study by PTIB that analyzed more than 10,000 online comments about women's football. The findings revealed that women athletes have become powerful voices of inclusion; breaking stereotypes, inspiring girls, and transforming national pride into a unifying force that transcends religion and ethnicity.

Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh, added "Through UNDP's PTIB, supported by Norway, we've seen how sports, and the Bangladesh Women's Football Team in particular, can turn digital spaces from places of division into platforms of pride, inclusion, and resilience against online harassment."

Welcoming guests to the school, Sabrina Shaheed, Principal of Sir John Wilson School, said, "At Sir John Wilson School, inclusion is at the heart of who we are. Sports allow our students to live that value. To play together, respect one another, and celebrate the strength that comes from diversity."

Dragan Popvic, Senior Programme Advisor of UNDP Bangladesh, highlighted how the campaign bridges inclusion and sports. "Sports need no language, just a ball and the will to play. When we play, we are all the same. These young athletes remind us that teamwork, courage, and respect can unite us both on the field and online. They show us what true inclusion looks like and how women are leading that change."

Md. Abu Sayed, Executive Director, Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), ICT Division, was also present at the event. He said, "The ICT Division is committed to addressing digital harms and cyberbullying, while promoting diversity and inclusion through initiatives like PTIB."

The campaign featured national women's team members, including Ritu Porna Chakma, Monika Chakma, and Matsusima Sumaiya. They shared their stories of resilience against digital harassment. A friendly match between students and players followed by. Participants pledged to stand against cyber harassment and promote digital empathy.

By combining football, youth voices, and digital awareness, "One Field, Many Voices" aims to reach thousands of students and millions online proving that when diversity plays together, unity truly wins.