India’s Digital Transformation and Gender Progress
India is experiencing a digital revolution, with 1.18 billion mobile connections, 700 million Internet users, and 600 million smartphones.
Women’s access to digital infrastructure has grown, with initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, where 55.6% of accounts are held by women
Increased connectivity has exposed women to new risks, particularly online harassment and tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV)
Risks of Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV)
Includes cyberstalking, trolling, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, impersonation, voyeurism, and online grooming.
These harms often force women and girls to withdraw from online spaces.
Many women, especially in rural areas, lack digital skills and knowledge of their rights, making them vulnerable to online abuse and exploitation.
India’s Efforts to Address TFGBV
India has enacted laws such as the Information Technology Act, 2000 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2024, to combat digital violence.
Legal and reporting mechanisms, like the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, allow for anonymous reporting.
Programs like Digital Shakti, launched by the National Commission for Women, provide women with tools to navigate the internet securely.
India has signed agreements, such as at the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, emphasizing the need for secure and affordable digital environments for women
The Way Forward for Safe Digital Spaces
Enforcing stricter laws against online violence and ensuring faster justice for survivors is crucial.
Holding social media platforms accountable is also a priority.
Rural areas need more digital literacy programs, and safe online practices should be integrated into school curriculums.
Workshops for men and women can empower them to engage in safe online behavior.
Collaborating with tech companies to enhance safety features, including AI-based tools to detect abusive content, is essential.
User-friendly reporting systems should be introduced.
Expanding support systems like helplines and TechSakhi, which offer legal aid, counseling, and rehabilitation, is crucial for helping survivors effectively.
India’s Call to Action
India launched the "Ab Koi Bahana Nahi" campaign as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, emphasizing the need for urgent action to address TFGBV.
Governments, tech companies, civil society, and international organizations must work together to ensure women’s safety online, recognizing it as both a moral obligation and a key factor in India’s digital and social progress.
COMMENTS