Syllabus: GS- II & V: Social Justice

Why in the News?

• The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Empowerment of Women has recommended a comprehensive, gender-sensitive cybercrime law to improve digital safety for women and children.
• The move comes amid a sharp rise in cybercrimes such as online harassment, sextortion, and deepfake misuse.

Current Legal & Institutional Framework

• Cyber offences are currently addressed through multiple laws:
  • Information Technology Act, 2000 – core cyber law framework.
  • Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 – includes offences like stalking, voyeurism.
  • Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 – safeguards children.
  • Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
  • Information Technology Rules, 2021 – platform accountability.
• Key institutions:
  • India Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
  • National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
  • Ministry of Women and Child Development with One Stop Centres.

Key Issues Identified

• The fragmented legal framework creates confusion, delays, and underreporting.
• Women face crimes like cyberstalking, identity theft, morphing, and non-consensual image sharing.
• There is a lack of:
  • Psychological counselling and rehabilitation support.
  • Uniform enforcement across states.
  • Awareness and digital literacy, especially in rural areas.

Important Terms Explained

• Cyberstalking: Repeated online harassment or monitoring of a person.
• Deepfake: Artificial intelligence-generated fake images or videos.
• Sextortion: Blackmail using intimate images or content.
• One Stop Centre (OSC): Government facility providing legal, medical, and psychological support to women.
• Cyber Resilience: Ability to prevent, respond to, and recover from cyber threats.

Committee Recommendations

• Formulate a comprehensive cybercrime law to harmonise existing provisions.
• Create a victim-centred framework:
  • Automatic linkage of victims to One Stop Centres.
  • Strengthening Women Helpline (181) and Childline (1098).
• Establish:
  • Cyber Survivor Compensation Fund.
  • Cyber counselling units in police stations.
  • Regional rehabilitation centres for long-term support.
• Address emerging challenges:
  • Artificial intelligence-generated crimes.
  • Cross-border cyber offences.

Role of Digital Literacy

• Digital access is empowering women through:
  • Financial inclusion (Jan Dhan, Direct Benefit Transfer).
  • Entrepreneurship via online platforms.
• However, lack of awareness increases vulnerability.
• Integration with schemes like:
  • Digital India Mission
  • Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan
  • National Policy for Women, 2016 (vision framework)

Way Forward

• Develop simple, local-language digital literacy modules.
• Increase budgetary allocation for cyber safety infrastructure.
• Promote public-private partnerships in cyber awareness.
• Ensure strong data protection and privacy safeguards.

Significance

• Strengthens women’s safety in digital spaces.
• Builds trust in digital governance and e-commerce.
• Supports India’s vision of an inclusive digital economy.

Exam Hook

Key Takeaways

• Cyber safety is both a legal and social challenge.
• A holistic approach (law + awareness + support systems) is essential.
• Women’s digital empowerment must go hand-in-hand with digital security.

Mains Question:
“Discuss the need for a comprehensive cybercrime law in India with special reference to the safety of women in digital spaces.”

One-line wrap: A safe digital ecosystem for women requires not just stronger laws, but awareness, support systems, and inclusive digital literacy.

SOURCE