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India’s digital public infrastructure, including initiatives like Digital India and the JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) Trinity, plays a vital role in empowering vulnerable groups, particularly women, by enhancing access to services and financial inclusion. However, gender-based digital divides and tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) pose significant barriers, potentially undermining the progress toward true digital empowerment for women.

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Significance of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure in Empowering Vulnerable Sections, Particularly Women

• Increased financial inclusion: India’s digital infrastructure, such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, has expanded financial inclusion, allowing women to access bank accounts, even in rural areas.
  For example: Women hold 55.6% of Jan Dhan accounts, making them more financially independent and providing them with direct benefits through digital platforms.
• Improved access to services: Digital platforms facilitate access to various services, from healthcare to education, especially in rural and underserved areas.
  For instance: Women in rural areas can now access government schemes and educational resources via smartphones, bridging the urban-rural divide in service access.
• Promotes digital literacy: Government-led programs equip women with essential digital skills to navigate online spaces safely.
  For example: The National Commission for Women’s Digital Shakti initiative has helped thousands of women become digitally literate and more confident in using online tools for personal and professional growth.
• Boosts economic opportunities: Increased digital connectivity provides women with opportunities to earn, work remotely, or run businesses, promoting financial independence.
  For instance: Women entrepreneurs in rural India use mobile platforms to market and sell products, accessing wider markets than ever before.
• Improved political participation: Digital infrastructure enables women to engage in political discourse, participate in activism, and represent their communities.
  For instance: Women journalists and activists can use social media to voice opinions, create movements, and raise awareness about gender-based issues.
• Strengthened safety networks: Online safety measures and helplines offer women support in situations of abuse or online harassment.
  For example: TechSakhi provides women with real-time support and guidance on reporting online harassment, enhancing their digital security.

Gender-Based Digital Divides and Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) Hinders Progress

• Digital literacy gaps: Many women, especially in rural areas, still lack the skills to navigate digital spaces safely, exposing them to online dangers.
  For example: Women in rural areas often lack awareness about privacy settings and online safety measures, increasing their vulnerability to cyberstalking and online fraud.
• Online harassment and cyberstalking: Women in public-facing roles face an increased risk of online harassment, which can dissuade them from using digital platforms.
  For example: Women journalists and politicians face targeted abuse on social media, often leading them to disengage from online platforms due to safety concerns.
• Lack of awareness about rights: Many women are unaware of the legal mechanisms available to protect themselves from online abuse.
  For example: Women who experience online harassment may not know about the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, preventing them from reporting incidents promptly.
• Impersonation and identity theft: Cybercriminals exploit the vulnerabilities of women by creating fake profiles and engaging in harmful activities such as fraud and grooming.
  For example: Cases of women’s identities being stolen and misused for cyber fraud are common, especially in cases where they have inadequate digital security knowledge.
• Societal norms restricting digital participation: In many areas, societal norms prevent women from fully participating in the digital world, limiting their empowerment.
  For example: In rural communities, cultural barriers often prevent women from owning smartphones or using them for purposes beyond household tasks, further limiting their digital engagement.
• Retreat from digital spaces due to fear of abuse: Persistent harassment and the threat of TFGBV may lead women to abandon online spaces altogether.
  For example: Many women who face trolling or threats online choose to reduce their presence on social media, hindering their ability to use digital platforms for empowerment.

Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) Hindering Progress

• Increased Vulnerability of Women to Online Harassment: The rise in internet connectivity has exposed women to various forms of digital abuse such as cyberstalking and online trolling.
  For example: Journalists and politicians, who are often public-facing, are frequent targets of online harassment, which discourages their active participation in digital platforms.
• Cybercrime Exploitation: Women face digital violence through impersonation, fraud, and non-consensual sharing of intimate images. These crimes exploit the vulnerability of women, causing severe emotional distress.
  For example: Instances of fake profiles used for impersonation and defamation are rising, often leading to reputational damage for the victims.
• Lack of Digital Literacy Among Women: Many women, especially in rural regions, lack the digital literacy needed to protect themselves from online abuse, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.
  For example: Without adequate knowledge of online privacy settings, women often fall victim to fraud and cyberbullying.
• Limited Awareness of Legal Mechanisms: Women may not be aware of the available resources and legal mechanisms to combat digital violence, which exacerbates their suffering.
  For example: A lack of awareness about the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal prevents many women from reporting online abuse.
• Perpetuation of Gender Norms Online: Societal biases are often amplified in the digital world, reinforcing traditional gender roles and encouraging harmful online behavior towards women.

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Way Ahead to Combat TFGBV

• Strengthening Legal Frameworks: Laws should be stricter and quicker in prosecuting perpetrators of TFGBV, ensuring timely justice for survivors.
  For example: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2024, can be used to create more robust legal processes for punishing offenders.
• Accountability of Social Media Platforms: Social media companies need to be held accountable for the safety of their users by enforcing stricter guidelines against abuse and harassment.
  For example: Platforms can introduce AI tools that automatically detect and remove abusive content, improving the online experience for women.
• Expanding Digital Literacy Initiatives: Digital literacy programs should be expanded, especially in rural areas, to empower women with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves online.
  For example: Digital Shakti, a program by the National Commission for Women, trains women on how to stay safe on the internet and report any abuse.
• Incorporating Online Safety in Education: Safe online practices should be integrated into school curricula to foster early awareness of digital risks and safety measures.
  For example: School programs can teach students about privacy settings, reporting abuse, and the importance of digital boundaries.
• Community Engagement and Awareness Campaigns: Nationwide campaigns should be conducted to challenge harmful societal norms and promote respectful digital behavior, involving both men and women.
  For example: Campaigns like ‘Ab Koi Bahana Nahi’ actively engage men as allies to combat gender-based violence in digital spaces.
• Enhancing Survivor Support Systems: It is crucial to improve support systems that offer counseling, legal assistance, and rehabilitation to digital violence survivors.
  For example: Initiatives like TechSakhi, a helpline offering empathetic support and information, can be expanded to ensure survivors receive timely help.

India’s digital public infrastructure, through initiatives like Digital India and PMGDISHA, can empower women by enhancing access to services, education, and financial inclusion. However, gender-based digital divides and tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) pose challenges. Addressing these issues requires promoting digital literacy, improving cybersecurity, and implementing safety-focused policies to ensure women benefit equally from digital empowerment.

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