Union Law Minister Calls for Building More Secure Online Space for Women
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal emphasized the importance of establishing a more secure online space for women to protect their dignity and enable them to take part in the development of the country.
In his remarks at the National Commission for Women's (NCW) Final Law Review Consultation on "Cyber Laws Relating to Women" and Cyber Awareness Program, Meghwal discussed the growing danger of cybercrimes and advised everyone, particularly women, to use strong passwords and restrict the amount of personal information they share on social media.
"Use strong passwords and share minimal personal details online. Cyber offenses are such that we often get trapped unknowingly. Avoid long conversations with strangers and remain vigilant while interacting with unknown people online. If a cyber crime occurs, report it to the police immediately," he said.
"The new laws we have enacted address these issues comprehensively. We have incorporated provisions to deal with AI-based misinformation, digital arrests and other cyber-related offenses," he said.
"If anyone is leading in the IT sector, it is women. With the advent of AI, new challenges have emerged, but women are equipped to tackle them.
Whether it is cyberstalking or other forms of online harassment, women will not only overcome these challenges but also guide the nation forward," he said.
Meghwal also outlined the government's initiatives to tackle new issues in the digital sphere, including video manipulation, cyberbullying, bogus profiling, and disinformation campaigns powered by artificial intelligence (AI).
The minister emphasized the importance of establishing a more secure online space for women in order to protect their dignity and enable them to take part in the development of the country.
'Online Saheli' is a book that Meghwal also introduced to teach families about online safety.
Women are driving innovation in technology, Meghwal said, highlighting the expanding role of women in the IT industry.
A game-changer for gender equality, the minister also hailed recent legislative reforms, such as the 33 percent reservation for women in legislatures.