UNiTE to End Digital Violence 2025: India’s Comprehensive Framework to Protect Women

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25 Nov UNiTE to End Digital Violence 2025: India’s Comprehensive Framework to Protect Women

Posted at 25 Nov 2025 in Current Affairs by
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This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and From  UNiTE to End Digital Violence 2025: India’s Comprehensive Framework to Protect Women

SYLLABUS MAPPING

GS-2 – Governance- UNiTE to End Digital Violence 2025: India’s Comprehensive Framework to Protect Women

FOR PRELIMS

What is the role of the National Commission for Women (NCW)?

FOR MAINS

What are the main laws in India that protect women from violence?

Why in the News?

November 25 is observed globally as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, marking the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (November 25–December 10). In 2025, the day gains special significance with the UN announcing the global theme “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls.” The theme highlights the alarming rise of technology-facilitated violence—including cyberstalking, online harassment, deepfakes, doxxing, and misogynistic digital abuse—prompting governments, civil society, and international organisations to intensify efforts toward legal reforms, digital safety, and gender justice. India too has strengthened its laws and support mechanisms to combat both offline and online violence against women.

India’s Fight to End Violence Against Women: Laws and Legislations

The Government of India has prioritised the elimination of violence against women through a multi-pronged approach, encompassing robust legal frameworks, institutional support, dedicated helplines, and flagship schemes. These efforts align with the observance of the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25), emphasising not only immediate redressal but also long-term empowerment. The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) leads these initiatives, integrating safety (Sambal) and empowerment (Samarthya) components under the umbrella Mission Shakti scheme.

National Commission for Women (NCW)

This Commission was established as a statutory body by the Government of India on January 31, 1992, with the mandate to examine and monitor all constitutional and legal safeguards for women, recommend amendments to existing laws wherever required, and investigate complaints related to the deprivation of women’s rights. Most states have also constituted State Commissions for Women (SCWs) with parallel responsibilities. The NCW receives complaints of violence and rights violations against women, both in writing and online through its portal www.ncw.nic.in and actively processes them to ensure prompt and effective redressal.

Key Legal Provisions for Women’s Safety in India

Law / Act Key Features Coverage / Applicability Mechanisms & Penalties Special Provisions
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 (effective 1 July 2024) Replaces the IPC; strengthens provisions for sexual crimes Applicable across India • Stricter penalties, including life imprisonment for rape of minors (<18)
• Fast-track trials for crimes against women/children
• Mandatory audio-video recording of victim statements		 • Expanded definition of sexual offences
• Priority investigation & trial for women and child-related crimes
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), 2005 Comprehensive law to address domestic violence Any woman in a domestic relationship (marriage, adoption, family ties, shared household) Covers physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and economic abuse, including dowry harassment
Provides Protection Orders, Residence Orders, Custody Orders, and Monetary Relief		 • “Aggrieved person” includes any woman living in a shared household
• Provides for Protection Officers and Service Providers
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH Act), 2013 Prevents and redresses workplace sexual harassment All workplaces: public, private, unorganized sectors; all women employees, interns, and visitors Mandatory Internal Committee (IC) in establishments with 10+ employees
Local Committee (LC) for smaller organisations
Inquiry to be completed within 90 days		 • SHe-Box portal for online complaints
• Mandatory annual report & awareness training
• Overseen by Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD)

Mission Shakti – Components and Key Features

Component Objective / Purpose Target Group / Coverage Key Services / Features Implementing Agency
Swadhar Greh Provide shelter & support to women in difficult circumstances Women facing violence, abandonment, family conflict, mental stress, trafficking risk • Safe shelter
• Food & clothing
• Counselling & legal aid
• Skill training & rehabilitation		 Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD)
One Stop Centres (OSCs) Offer integrated support to women affected by violence All women facing physical, sexual, emotional, digital, or economic violence • Medical assistance
• Police facilitation
• Legal aid
• Counselling services
• Temporary shelter
• Available in every district		 MWCD in convergence with Health Dept., Police, Legal Services Authority
Stree Manoraksha Project Strengthen mental health support for women survivors of violence OSC staff, counsellors, frontline workers • Capacity-building on psychosocial care
• Trauma-informed counselling
• Mental health first aid		 NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences)
Digital Shakti Campaign Improve cyber safety and digital literacy among women Women & girls across schools, colleges, workplaces • Awareness on cybercrime prevention
• Online safety training
• Empowering victims to report cybercrimes
• Creation of safer online spaces		 National Commission for Women (NCW)

Institutional Mechanisms for Women’s Safety

Institutional Mechanism Key Features / Purpose Latest Data (2025)
Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) • Set up under the Nirbhaya Fund to ensure speedy trial of rape and POCSO cases.
• Includes exclusive e-POCSO courts for child protection.		 • 773 FTSCs functional (including 400 exclusive e-POCSO courts).
• 3,34,213 cases disposed since inception (as of Aug 2025).
Women Help Desks (WHDs) • Gender-sensitive desks in police stations.
• Facilitate FIR registration, counselling, legal aid, and victim support.		 • 14,658 WHDs operational nationwide (as of Feb 2025).
SHe-Box Portal • Unified digital grievance redressal platform under POSH Act, 2013.
• Auto-routing to Internal/Local Committees.
• Real-time complaint tracking.
• Mandatory Nodal Officers for updating complaint progress and committee details.		 • Ensures stronger employer accountability and transparent POSH compliance.

Legal & Technology-Driven Measures for Women’s Safety

To strengthen the criminal justice system for sexual offences, the Government enacted the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 which introduced stricter punishments for rape, especially involving minors.

Key Technology-Driven Initiatives
1. Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO): Online tool for real-time monitoring of police investigations. Ensures investigations are completed within mandated timelines.
2. National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO): Centralised database of convicted sexual offenders. Helps police track offenders and identify repeat criminal behaviour.
3. Crime Multi-Agency Centre (Cri-MAC): Launched on 12 March 2020.
Enables instant sharing of information on heinous and inter-state crimes across states/UTs via:
Alerts, Emails, SMS, strengthen coordination, speeding up response and arrests.

Conclusion

This year as the world marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25 under the powerful global theme “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls”, India is intensifying its efforts to confront gender-based violence in all its forms-both offline and online. Through Mission Shakti’s expanding network of One Stop Centres, Women Help Desks, and emergency helplines, along with reforms like the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and targeted tools such as SHe-Box, ITSSO, and the Digital Shakti Campaign, India is ensuring accessible reporting, survivor support, and faster justice. These integrated efforts reflect the nation’s commitment to building a safer, more inclusive environment where every woman and girl — both offline and online can live with dignity, freedom, and equal opportunity.

Q. Consider the following pairs:
Initiative Ministry                             Agency
1. She-Box Portal                    Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD)
2. Digital Shakti Campaign   National Commission for Women (NCW)
3. ITSSO                                     Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer: C

Mains Question:

Q.  Technology has emerged as both a tool for empowerment and a space of vulnerability for women. In this context, discuss India’s evolving legal, institutional, and technological measures to combat both offline and online violence against women.”

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