Abstract

Amid public health and economic chaos, a major problem which is presently looming in the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic is the growing incidences of violence against women (VAW). This paper attempts to provide an understanding of rising online violence which Indian women are facing during the global Covid 19 pandemic era. The dangers of cybercrime have existed for many years during the age of internet ever since computers became commonplace and accessible to the public, but during the Corona pandemic, the rise in gender-based violence online has become alarmingly more rampant and serious. The percentage of the women population connected to the Internet and the amount of time spent online during pandemic, has provided even more opportunities and impetus for cybercriminals to harm women with very little effort and resources. With the increasing risk of harassment, the cyber space is becoming more toxic for women. In an increasingly digital online world, cyber crimes not only belittle, demean, intimidate women rather it drives women out of cyberspace which is against the worldwide mission of women empowerment. After such untoward incidents, many women either delete their social media accounts or reduce the activities of posting and expressing their personal views because of fear of further harassment. This results in driving women away from all the opportunities of better world and a better life that the internet promises to offer. It is indeed a human rights issue and needs to be addressed as such so that we can make progress towards the egalitarian agenda of Sustainable Development Goals 2030. The paper concludes that combating cyber victimization of women requires commitment with multiple stakeholders coupled with technical augmentation and capacity building of law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, the initiative to enhance digital safety awareness is prioritized so that women report such incidents without any fear, get speedy and effective redressal for such complains and exercise their right to be safe and secure in virtual world.

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