Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV)

Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) has become a Growing Concern. While the narrowing of the digital gender divide is a sign of progress, as in many countries, a surge in gender-based violence (GBV), particularly tech-facilitated GBV, threatens to overshadow gains. Read here to learn more about it.

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) study highlights that 38% of adult women have personally experienced TFGBV, a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to address this pervasive issue.

The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, recently launched ‘Ab Koi Bahana Nahi (no more excuses)’, a national campaign aligned with the global ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’.

This annual campaign is led by UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV)

Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) refers to acts of violence and abuse against individuals, particularly women and marginalized genders, that are enabled, amplified, or perpetuated through digital technology.

This includes online platforms, social media, mobile applications, messaging systems, and other digital tools.

Forms of TFGBV:

• Cyberstalking:
  • Repeated and unwanted monitoring or harassment of an individual through online platforms.
  • Often involves the use of location-sharing apps or hacking devices to track victims.
• Non-consensual Sharing of Intimate Images (NCII): Distribution or threat of distributing explicit or personal images or videos without consent (commonly known as “revenge porn”).
• Online Harassment: Includes trolling, doxxing (exposing personal information), and sending abusive messages or threats.
• Impersonation and Deepfake Abuse: Creation of fake profiles or manipulated content (e.g., deepfake videos) to harm reputations or coerce individuals.
• Tech-Enabled Domestic Violence: Use of smart home devices, GPS trackers, or spyware to control, surveil, or harm partners.
• Doxxing and Swatting: Publicly sharing personal information to provoke harassment (doxxing) or staging fake emergency calls to send police to a victim’s home (swatting).

Impact of TFGBV

• Psychological Consequences: Victims may experience anxiety, depression, trauma, or fear of using technology.
• Social and Professional Consequences: Public shaming or harassment can harm reputations, relationships, and career opportunities.
• Legal and Economic Impact: Victims may incur costs for legal proceedings, cybersecurity, or relocating to avoid abusers.
• Digital Exclusion: Fear of online abuse often forces victims, especially women, to withdraw from digital spaces, affecting their access to information, education, and opportunities.

Reasons that Drive TFGBV

• Anonymity Online: Perpetrators exploit the anonymity offered by digital platforms to harass without accountability.
• Gender Inequality: Deep-rooted societal biases and patriarchal norms fuel the targeting of women and marginalized genders.
• Lack of Regulation: Inadequate policies and enforcement mechanisms to address TFGBV allow perpetrators to operate with impunity.
• Advancing Technology: Tools like AI and deepfake technology make it easier to create and disseminate harmful content.
• Platform Responsibility: Social media and online platforms often lack effective mechanisms to prevent abuse or adequately respond to complaints.

Addressing TFGBV

Legal and Policy Measures:

• Enact and enforce robust laws against online harassment, NCII, and other forms of TFGBV.
• Include gender-sensitive provisions in cybersecurity and data protection frameworks.

Technology-Based Solutions:

• Develop AI-powered tools to detect and remove harmful content.
• Ensure privacy settings and safety features are accessible and user-friendly.

Platform Accountability:

• Mandate online platforms to implement transparent reporting mechanisms and respond promptly to complaints.
• Establish independent oversight bodies to monitor platform compliance.

Education and Awareness:

• Promote digital literacy and educate users about identifying and reporting TFGBV.
• Campaigns to challenge and dismantle gender biases in digital spaces.

Support Systems for Victims:

• Establish helplines and legal aid services for victims of TFGBV.
• Provide psychological counselling and rehabilitation programs.

International Initiatives Against TFGBV

• UN Women’s Efforts: Advocates for gender-responsive technology and laws to combat TFGBV.
• Cybercrime Convention (Budapest Convention): Encourages international cooperation in combating cybercrime, including gender-based violence.
• Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI): Focuses on responsible AI development to mitigate harm, including TFGBV.

India’s Efforts to Combat Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV)

India has been actively working to address TFGBV, recognizing its growing impact on women’s safety and well-being in digital spaces. The following measures and initiatives have been implemented:

Legal Framework

Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000:

• Section 66E: Penalizes the violation of privacy, such as capturing or publishing private images without consent.
• Section 67 & 67A: Prohibits publishing or transmitting obscene or sexually explicit material in electronic form.

Indian Penal Code (IPC) (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita):

• Section 354D: Addresses stalking, including cyberstalking.
• Section 499: Covers defamation, including online platforms.
• Section 507: Deals with criminal intimidation through anonymous communication.

Digital Literacy and Awareness Campaigns

Digital India Initiative:

• Includes awareness campaigns to promote cyber hygiene and educate citizens, particularly women, about online safety.
• Focuses on empowering rural women with digital skills to identify and report online abuse.

Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC):

• A Ministry of Home Affairs initiative offering an online portal for reporting cases of cyberbullying, stalking, and harassment.

Reporting and Support Mechanisms

National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in):

• A platform for citizens to report cybercrimes, including those targeting women.
• Includes provisions for anonymous complaints to protect survivors’ identities.

TechSakhi Initiative:

• Offers counselling, legal aid, and rehabilitation services for survivors of online harassment.
• Provides resources to educate women about recognizing and dealing with TFGBV incidents.

Collaboration with Technology Companies

AI-Driven Content Moderation:

• Collaborates with social media platforms and tech companies to implement AI algorithms for detecting and removing harmful content.
• Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are working with Indian authorities to streamline reporting and response mechanisms for victims of abuse.

Enhanced Safety Features:

• Promotion of features like two-step authentication, privacy settings, and filters to block abusive messages.

International Commitments and Initiatives

Global Digital Compact:

• India’s endorsement of the UN’s Global Digital Compact underscores its commitment to curbing technology-enabled gender violence through globally aligned strategies.

Partnerships with NGOs:

• Collaboration with organizations such as CyberPeace Foundation and Breakthrough to conduct workshops and campaigns against online gender-based violence.

Challenges and Way Forward

While efforts are underway, challenges remain:

• Low awareness: Especially in rural areas, about reporting mechanisms and laws.
• Underreporting: Victims often avoid reporting due to fear of stigma or lack of trust in the system.
• Lack of Accountability: Many platforms and perpetrators operate anonymously.

Future Recommendations:

• Strengthen Laws: Update existing legislation to include evolving forms of TFGBV, like deepfakes and AI-based harassment.
• Comprehensive Digital Literacy: Expand initiatives to ensure women in rural areas understand their rights and can access resources.
• Speedy Prosecution: Establish cybercrime courts to expedite TFGBV cases and ensure accountability.
• Holistic Survivor Support: Scale up survivor-centric approaches, such as mental health counselling and legal aid services.

Conclusion

Technology can be a tool for empowerment, but TFGBV underscores its potential for misuse.

TFGBV is a deeply entrenched problem, amplified by the anonymity and accessibility of digital tools.

Addressing TFGBV requires a holistic approach combining legal, technological, and societal efforts to ensure online spaces are safe, inclusive, and equitable forever.

India’s proactive approach to addressing TFGBV is a step forward in ensuring digital spaces are safer and more inclusive for all genders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What are the types of gender-based violence?

• Physical violence.
• Verbal violence.
• Psychological violence.
• Sexual violence.
• Socio-economic violence.
• Domestic violence or in intimate relationships.
• Harassment and sexual harassment.

What is Voyeurism?

Ans: It is a type of TFGBV- it involves the sexual interest in or practice of watching other people engage in intimate behaviours.

Related articles:

• Violence against Women
• Gender Justice
• Government measures for the protection of women
• Protection of women from domestic violence act
• National policy for women

-Article by Swathi Satish