SDG 5: Gender Equality | SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Institutions: Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) | National Commission for Women (NCW)
In recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25) and the 2025 global theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls,” India is intensifying its multi-pronged national strategy to safeguard women’s rights and security. Led by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), this effort integrates safety (Sambal) and empowerment (Samarthya) under the umbrella scheme Mission Shakti.
Legal and Judicial Reforms
Strengthened Criminal Law: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, effective July 1, 2024, replaces the IPC and introduces stringent penalties for sexual offenses, including life imprisonment for the rape of minors under 18 years. The BNS mandates the audio-video recording of victim statements and prioritizes crimes against women and children in trial proceedings.
Specialized Courts: Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including 400 exclusive e-POCSO courts, are functional across 29 States/UTs, having disposed of over 334,213 cases since inception (as of August 2025).
Support Mechanisms: Legal frameworks protecting women include the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA), and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act).
Technology and Institutional Support
Integrated Support Centers: The One Stop Centre (OSC) Scheme provides integrated services under one roof—including police, medical aid, legal aid, and temporary shelter—to women affected by violence or in distress. The Universal Women Helpline (181) provides 24x7 emergency support nationwide.
Digital Accountability: The SHe-Box portal serves as a unified online platform for reporting and tracking workplace sexual harassment complaints under the POSH Act. For law enforcement, the Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO) and the National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO) provide real-time monitoring and aid in tracking repeat offenders.
Digital Literacy: The Digital Shakti Campaign is actively implemented by the National Commission for Women (NCW) to digitally empower and skill women against the surge in technology-facilitated abuse like deepfakes and cyberstalking.
Policy Relevance: The comprehensive integration of advanced technology (ITSSO, SHe-Box) with legislative reforms (BNS 2023) and on-ground support (OSCs) reflects India’s critical, necessary commitment to building a safer, more inclusive digital and social environment. This multi-pronged strategy is essential for confronting the evolving threat of digital violence and ensuring that the fundamental rights to dignity and safety are upheld for every woman and girl.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: What specific training and resource allocation must the MWCD prioritize to ensure One Stop Centre staff are equipped to address the complex psychological and legal issues arising from AI-driven digital violence (e.g., deepfakes)?
Follow the full news here: Building a Safer, More Inclusive Digital India for Women