Technology must not threaten women

November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, reminds us that safety is not merely a women’s concern but a national priority at the heart of democracy. The day marks the beginning of the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and this year’s theme, UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls, signals a critical shift. As technology becomes central to daily life, gender-based harm now extends beyond homes and public spaces to digital platforms. Cyberstalking, deepfakes, doxxing, impersonation and online harassment expose women and girls to new forms of abuse, making digital safety an essential component of dignity, mental health and freedom of participation in public life.

India’s digital transformation has expanded opportunity for women in education, employment and entrepreneurship. Yet this same connectivity has made them more vulnerable, especially in spaces where anonymity enables aggression. Digital violence is not a separate category of abuse — it is gendered violence expressed through new channels. Recognising this, India has slowly built a legal and institutional framework for protection. The National Commission for Women, established in 1992, functions as the apex statutory body for examining safeguards, processing complaints and recommending reform. State commissions now extend this network, while NCW’s helpline and online portal have made redressal more accessible.

The legal foundations too have strengthened over time. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, addresses physical, emotional, economic and psychological harm within households. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, mandates Internal Committees in every organisation with more than ten employees and expects employers to build safe environments. More recently, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, has replaced key provisions of the Indian Penal Code and expanded definitions of sexual offences, offering tougher penalties and stronger protection for minors. These laws recognise dignity as a right, but their impact depends on consistent enforcement, informed officers and socially supportive environments where women feel safe to report abuse.

Mission Shakti, led by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, combines safety and empowerment through a single national framework. One Stop Centres offer emergency assistance, medical aid, legal support, counselling and temporary shelter at the district level, removing the fear of multiple agencies and delayed responses. Swadhar Greh homes help women in difficult circumstances rebuild their lives. Trained counsellors under the Stree Manoraksha initiative provide psycho-social care in line with mental health needs. Alongside this, Women Helpline 181 and Emergency Response Support System 112 ensure instant help during emergencies. These interventions strengthen the idea that safety must be accessible, holistic and reliable.

Technology too is being used to protect women. SHe-Box has simplified reporting of workplace sexual harassment with real-time tracking of cases. Over 14,000 Women Help Desks at police stations nationwide encourage sensitive first-point reporting. Fast Track Special Courts dedicated to rape and POCSO cases have disposed of more than three lakh matters, showing that targeted institutions can deliver outcomes if supported with resources and coordination. Digital tools such as the Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences and the National Database on Sexual Offenders allow law enforcement agencies to monitor, track and act quickly. Cri-MAC enables instant inter-state information sharing during serious crimes, minimising delays and blind spots in the system.

However, several challenges remain. A significant number of women still hesitate to report online abuse due to stigma, limited awareness or fear of reprisal. Rural and marginalised communities face the greatest barriers to accessing legal redressal mechanisms. Digital platforms are often slow to respond to complaints and artificial intelligence has made image manipulation and impersonation easier than ever before. Deepfakes and non-consensual image circulation can cause social and psychological harm without physical violence, challenging traditional notions of safety and justice. These emerging threats require not only newer laws but stronger digital literacy, responsible platform design and collaboration between technology companies, law enforcement and civil society.

Five priorities could accelerate progress. Digital safety should be taught within school and college curricula to build awareness among young people. Every police station and district court must have trained personnel for cybercrime involving women. Public-private partnerships should be strengthened to detect harmful online activity and support survivors swiftly. Community-based programmes through schools, panchayats and self-help groups must spread awareness of legal rights, helplines and support systems. Most importantly, data privacy norms must advance to give women greater control over their digital identity and swift remedies against misuse.

Safety cannot be episodic. It must be embedded into systems of governance, technology and social life. When women feel secure online, they participate with confidence in the economy, public debate and civic spaces. Digital safety is therefore not just a women’s concern but a democratic necessity. The frameworks already in place — from Mission Shakti to SHe-Box — offer strong foundations. The task now is implementation, reach and responsiveness.

As India looks toward 2047, its development goals will depend not only on infrastructure and growth but on whether every woman — rural or urban, online or offline — has the ability to live freely and speak safely. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women reminds us that progress must be practical, not symbolic. Protecting women’s rights everywhere and at all times remains a measure of justice and a test of national character. In a truly inclusive India, technology must not threaten women; it must empower them.

The author is a gender rights advocate and independent journalist who writes on gender justice, education, and child rights