During the COVID-19 pandemic, instances of cyber threats surged significantly, prompting the National Commission for Women to commission a study to explore the challenges women face in cyberspace. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study engaged 1,603 respondents, including female students, cyber-crime branch officials, and investigating officers. Additionally, 90 narratives were collected, detailing the personal experiences of women who encountered cyber-related issues.

The study revealed a pervasive lack of awareness and support mechanisms within families, public spaces, educational institutions, and peer groups, which compounded the vulnerabilities of women in cyberspace. It also highlighted the challenges faced by investigating agencies, including overwhelming workloads and insufficient cooperation from web platforms and related departments. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to enhance cyber safety and foster collaborative mechanisms to address cyber threats effectively.

Funding: National Commission for Women (NCW), Delhi
Principal Investigator: Dr. Sanjeev Kumar
Year: 2022-23