Protection of Women Against Cyber Crime

Cybercrimes against women in India have increased alongside expanding internet access, compounded by low digital literacy and prevailing cultural norms. Offenses such as online harassment, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, identity theft, revenge pornography, and image morphing represent technology-facilitated abuses that violate women’s privacy, dignity, and security while causing serious psychological, social, and financial harm. This paper examines the vulnerabilities faced by women in cyberspace and analyzes the existing legal framework addressing such crimes, focusing on statutory provisions under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (as amended in 2008), particularly Sections 66E, 67, and 67A, along with relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code such as Sections 354A and 354D, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for minors. It also highlights the constitutional protection of dignity and privacy under Article 21. Using data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the study notes that cybercrimes against women increased by about 11% in 2022, including 2,251 cases involving the transmission of explicit material, with earlier reports showing a 28% rise by 2021 and high incidence in states such as Maharashtra and Karnataka. Despite legal provisions and charge-sheeting rates exceeding 75% in many cases, enforcement gaps, judicial delays, underreporting due to stigma, jurisdictional challenges, and offenders’ technological advancements persist, highlighting the need for stronger cyber laws, gender-sensitive law enforcement, enhanced digital literacy, and coordinated efforts by government, civil society, and digital platforms.