Virtual Vulnerability: Addressing Cyber Harassment against Women in India

Disha Lal, Udaya Kumar Giri, Shrish Kumar Tiwari

doi:https://doi.org/10.59232/CYS-V2I3P101

Research Article | Open Access | Download Full Text

Volume 2 | Issue 3 | Year 2024 | Article Id: CYS-V2I3P101 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59232/CYS-V2I3P101

Virtual Vulnerability: Addressing Cyber Harassment against Women in India

Disha Lal, Udaya Kumar Giri, Shrish Kumar Tiwari

Received	Revised	Accepted	Published
12 Jul 2024	10 Aug 2024	14 Sep 2024	30 Sep 2024

Citation

Disha Lal, Udaya Kumar Giri, Shrish Kumar Tiwari. “Virtual Vulnerability: Addressing Cyber Harassment against Women in India.” DS Journal of Cyber Security, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 1-14, 2024.

Abstract

Cyber harassment against women has emerged as a pervasive and complex issue in the digital age, where the boundaries between online and offline worlds are increasingly blurred. This phenomenon manifests in various forms, including cyberstalking, revenge pornography, and online threats, and is often driven by gender-based biases and societal power imbalances. India has the 2nd largest internet users, consisting of 7 million. At the same time, the anonymity and accessibility of digital platforms have exacerbated these issues, making women disproportionately vulnerable to online abuse. At the same time absence of cyber sensitization, the lacuna in cyber hygiene, and the regulatory framework fuel the problem further. So, this premise tries to examine the cause of gender-based cyber harassment in India and explores the significant consequences of such harassment on women's mental health, professional lives, and overall well-being, highlighting the broader social and economic implications. Furthermore, the paper reviews existing mitigative measures, including legal frameworks, educational initiatives, and sensitization programs aimed at preventing and addressing cyber harassment. By analyzing the effectiveness of these strategies, the paper proposes a multi-faceted approach to enhance the safety and empowerment of women in the digital space.

Keywords

Gender, Cyber harassment, Online abuse, Cyberstalking, Cyberbullying, Security.

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