Deep down we know how safe women are in India

Deep down we know how safe women are in India, still we do not confront the horrid truth. Eve teasing, sexual assault, sexual harassment, rapes, trafficking, molestation, violence, etc. what does this all indicate? It indicates that Indian men see woman as objects of sexual pleasure. In addition to this a number of women are becoming victims of cyber-crimes. Due to growing reach of internet mobile devices, laptops have presented new opportunities that put women at risk.

Deep down we know how safe women are in India, still we do not confront the horrid truth.

The technology is same for all and its potential is all same for both, men and women. But a woman faces barriers to access and safety that men don’t experience. Due to technological advancements, online safety for women has become difficult than ever. Access to private information, use of devices to track one’s whereabouts, taking control over online accounts has become easy. Girls and women have become soft targets of bullying, trolling, pornography, morphing, death threats, rape and so on. Emotional impact of harassment is quite disturbing.

Due to growing reach of internet mobile devices, laptops have presented new opportunities that put women at risk.

Criminals are excited about the wealth of information they get online because it gives them access to various details that can be used for unlawful activities.

Due to our social customs, religious beliefs, traditions, we have given the right of patriarchy on a platter to males in every aspect of their acts. We must realise what is right and what is wrong. A woman giving her opinion is considered bad, she is bullied, and vulgar comments are passed, trolled. But this shouldn’t deter women from updating status, shopping online, tweeting.

Due to our social customs, religious beliefs, traditions, we have given the right of patriarchy on a platter to males in every aspect of their acts.

As a result we need safer spaces for women and we need to push boundaries to make that happen. Today women are using the power of digital to create dialogue and speak up. Safety is at the centre of that intention.

Garima Arora is a student of Satyawati College, New Delhi and this effort is a part of Google India and SheThePeople initiative Digital Trust Dialogues across colleges in India.