In line with the theme of “DigitALL: Technology & Innovation for Gender Equality” for International Women’s Day 2023, it is important to highlight efforts made to address the issue of cybercrime against women. Suparnaa Chadda interacts with SHO Pawan Tomar of Cyber North Delhi Police Station to document the steps to be taken in case of cybercrime against women.
SHO Tomar shares that there are 2 main reasons for any cybercrime – Greed and Fear.
Sexual Harassment of girls and Financial cheating embroiled through emotional traps for older women top the charts for cyber crime against women!
The podcast is a valuable resource for women who may be vulnerable to cybercrime and are unsure of what to do if they fall victim to it. SHO Pawan Tomar provides detailed information on how to report cybercrime, including the types of evidence that may be needed and the different agencies that can be contacted for assistance.
International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on March 8th to honor the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women all over the world. This year’s theme is “DigitALL: Technology & Innovation for Gender Equality.” The theme highlights the importance of leveraging technology and innovation to promote gender equality and empower women in all aspects of life.
In today’s digital world, women face unique challenges and risks online. Cybercrime against women is a growing problem in India. According to a report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), cybercrime against women increased by 50% in 2019 compared to the previous year. According to SHO Tomar, 90% of social media crimes are targeted at women. The two main offenses are cyber stalking of younger girls and financial cheating of older women.
Cyberstalking is a form of online harassment where the perpetrator repeatedly sends unwanted messages or follows the victim on social media platforms or other online spaces. Younger girls are particularly vulnerable to cyberstalking, with many cases involving perpetrators who are known to them. Infact in most cases, the victims may have been in a relationship with the perpetrator and as revenge for the relationship gone sour, the boys may also threaten or leak some intimate videos or photos to harass or blackmail the girl. This type of cybercrime can have a profound impact on the mental health and well-being of victims.
On the other hand, financial cheating is a type of cybercrime that targets older women who may be less tech-savvy and more trusting of strangers. Perpetrators use online platforms to establish relationships with victims and gain their trust before asking for money or access to their financial accounts. This type of cybercrime can lead to significant financial losses for victims besides the emotional trauma that they experience.
To address these issues, it is essential to promote digital literacy among women and girls, particularly in vulnerable communities. Education and training on safe online behavior can help women protect themselves from cybercrime and make informed decisions about their online activities. Additionally, there is a need to strengthen laws and policies to better protect women from online harassment and abuse.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2023, let us renew our commitment to promoting gender equality in all aspects of life, including the digital sphere. By harnessing the power of technology and innovation, we can create a world where women and girls can thrive and reach their full potential.
WE (the nonprofit trust) have been conducting Menstrual hygiene sessions and distributing sustainable feminine solutions to marginalized communities since 2013. WE have also started conducting sessions on combating violence against women in universities with the youth in tier 2/3 cities across India. Our third workshop addresses cyber security combating sexual violence & cyber crime against women.All sessions are designed to be both preventive and curative. If we can align with your CSR spending for the new financial year or marketing outreach targeting youth/women, do consider us. While the fees are for an end-to-end solution, we can also work around stand-alone physical and/or online workshops if the other logistics, coordination, and reports are not required. You can reach out to us on womanendangered@gmail.com
