The digital frontier of inequality

Ensuring women’s safety online is not only a moral obligation but also a critical pillar for India’s progress

India stands at a pivotal moment in its digital revolution, underpinned by an internationally recognised model of digital public infrastructure. Today, India has 1.18 billion mobile connections, 700 million Internet users, and 600 million smartphones.

While the narrowing of the digital gender divide is a sign of progress, as in many countries, a surge in gender-based violence (GBV), particularly tech-facilitated GBV, threatens to overshadow gains. In response, the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, recently launched ‘Ab Koi Bahana Nahi (no more excuses)’, a national campaign aligned with the global ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’. This annual campaign is led by UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

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The risks

India’s digital transformation has unlocked immense opportunities for empowerment. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has increased account coverage almost four-fold since 2015, with women holding 55.6% of the accounts. Digital Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-mobile linkages enable direct benefits and cashless transactions, especially in rural areas. However, this increased connectivity has also exposed women to new risks.

In urban areas, online harassment is rampant, particularly targeting women in public-facing roles such as journalists and politicians. Rural India boasts 20% more Internet users than in urban areas (2021 Nielsen report). Already constrained by societal norms, many women and girls lack the digital literacy and skills to navigate online spaces safely. Compounding the issue, many women are also unaware of their rights or the mechanisms available to them for reporting abuse.

TFGBV takes many harmful forms. These include persistent harassment such as cyberstalking, online trolling, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. Impersonation and fraud through fake profiles, voyeurism, and grooming further exploit vulnerable individuals. These often force women and girls to retreat from digital spaces.

India has taken important steps to combat TFGBV. Legal protections, including the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2024, provide a strong foundation to address digital violence. Mechanisms such as the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal enable anonymous reporting, while the government-led Information Security Education and Awareness Programme spreads digital safety awareness. Women-specific programmes, such as Digital Shakti, launched by the National Commission for Women, equip women with tools to navigate online spaces securely. These measures mark great progress in creating safer digital spaces, though some gaps remain.

India also actively engages in international negotiations and agreements, including the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women where UN member states, including India, signed off on agreed conclusions that called for “adequate safeguards in order to promote an open, secure, stable, accessible and affordable information and communications technology environment for all women and girls”. This underscores India’s commitment to tackling TFGBV.

The way forward

Achieving truly safe digital environments for women and girls requires more focused and strategic efforts that can keep pace with this changing and evolving digital world.

The Global Digital Compact, adopted by world leaders including India, at the UN Summit of the Future earlier this year, further strengthens legal and policy frameworks “to counter and eliminate all forms of violence, including sexual and gender-based violence that occurs through or is amplified by the use of technology”. Therefore, combating TFGBV must be a top priority. This includes enforcing stricter laws against perpetrators of online violence, and swifter justice for survivors. Holding social media platforms accountable is an important part of the tool kit to reduce TFGBV.

Expanding digital literacy programmes, particularly in rural areas, is critical. Integrating safe online practices into school curriculums and conducting community workshops for women and men, young and old, can be empowering. Additionally, nationwide campaigns that challenge societal norms and actively engage men and boys as allies can foster respectful and inclusive digital spaces.

Collaboration with India’s vibrant tech industry is essential. While many platforms have introduced safety features, these need further enhancement to proactively address online abuse. Leveraging artificial intelligence to detect and remove abusive content, yet retaining human oversight, alongside introducing user-friendly reporting mechanisms, can improve safety.

Just as important is the development of robust survivor support systems that offer accessible counselling, legal aid, and rehabilitation services. Expanding the capacity of helplines and initiatives such as TechSakhi, a helpline offering accurate information, empathetic support, and assistance, will ensure that survivors receive timely and effective assistance.

As we concluded observing the 16-Days of Activism that ends on International Human Rights Day every year, India’s timely message is unequivocal: Ab Koi Bahana Nahi. Ensuring women’s safety online is not only a moral obligation but also a critical pillar for India’s progress.

Governments, tech companies, individuals, civil society groups, and international organisations have a role to play, and we in the UN Country Team are proud to be a partner in this journey.

Susan Jane Ferguson is the India Country Representative for UN Women

Shombi Sharp is the UN Resident Coordinator for India

Published - December 16, 2024 12:15 am IST