Keeping women safe

Digital abuse manifests in intricate and gender-specific forms, extending well beyond mere trolling. It manifests in various forms, including the unauthorised dissemination of personal images, often referred to as 'revenge porn', the unauthorised publication of private information (doxing), and cyberstalking, which employs technology such as GPS tracking or social media surveillance to facilitate real-world harassment. The most alarming development is the proliferation of high-fidelity deepfake pornography, with up to 95 per cent of the victims being women

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History has demonstrated that offenders of violence against women consistently adopt novel methods of tormenting their victims ~ whether it be chastity belts of the fifteenth century, Sati, Agni Pravesha, the test of chastity from the Puranic era, female genital mutilation, or honour killings on modern days. With the advancement of science and technology, contemporary methods of abusing and torturing women have proliferated. We are currently in the digital age and rely on artificial intelligence, digital currency, digital healthcare, and various other technologies for everyday living, and ironically for violence against women as well.

In response to the persistent and escalating violence against women, the United Nations initiated the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, commencing on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and concluding on December 10, Human Rights Day, annually. This year's activity commenced on November 25 with a call to unite in the eradication of digital violence against all women and girls.

Anticipated as a significant liberator and a venue for impartial democratic engagement, the internet realm has now transformed into a contemporary and perilous arena for violence against women. Digital violence against women, referred to as technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), extends beyond the online realm. It is a systematic method to manipulate and intimidate women that reflects male inequality in reality.

A UN study indicates that the pervasive nature of technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the privacy of platforms, poses a significant threat to women's safety, mental health, and political participation, necessitating urgent reforms to the legal and systemic frameworks that regulate these domains.