The National Commission for Women (NCW) is a statutory body established under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990. It was created with the primary mandate to safeguard and promote the rights and interest of women, monitor constitutional and legal protections, and promote the overall welfare and advancement of women across the country.
The NCW plays a crucial role in ensuring that the principles of equality, dignity and justice enshrined in the Constitution translate into meaningful protections for women. A significant function of the NCW is to look into complaints and take suo-moto notice on matters relating to deprivation of women’s rights, non-implementation of protective laws, etc. and take up issues with appropriate authorities on issues of relevance to women.
In keeping with its mandate, the NCW has over the years, undertaken a wide range of initiatives aimed at improving the status of women and strengthening their economic, social and legal empowerment. [1]
For instance,
- In 2023, the NCW introduced its mobile application ‘Her Legal Guide’ to legally empower women with just a click. The app provides simplified information on various women-centric laws, enabling women to understand their legal rights, access guidance on filing complaints, etc.
- Digital Shakti Initiative Campaign (2022- Recognizing the growing threats in digital spaces, the NCW collaborated with CyberPeace Foundation and Meta to launch the fourth phase of Digital Shakti Campaign, a PAN-India project on digitally empowering and skilling women and girls in the cyberspace. In line with its commitment to create safe spaces for women and girls online, Digital Shakti 4.0 is focused on making women digitally skilled and aware to stand up against any illegal/inappropriate activity online. [2]
Recently (November 18, 2205), the NCW had introduced a new Toll-Free Helpline Number 14490 to provide immediate assistance and support to women in distress. [3]
The helpline shall aid to serve as a single point support mechanism that connects women to police authorities, hospitals and medical aid, district legal services authorities, psychological counselling services and rehabilitation centers quicker and seamlessly.
Rise in Online Crimes Against Women
Women and girls, in particular, are disproportionately impacted. Online harassment, cyberstalking, non-consensual circulation of intimate images, deepfake pornography, identity theft, and sexual extortion represent only a fraction of the threats being reported today. These crimes not only violate privacy and dignity but can also result in long-term emotional, social and professional harm.
As reported, in 2025[4], the NCW recorded a total of 7698 complaints from women across India, with domestic violence, assault and criminal intimidation the most common grievances across India. Domestic violence topped the chart with a total of 1594 complaints filed since the beginning of the year. Closely following were complaints pertaining to criminal intimidation and assault. Sexual Harassment drew 302 complaints, while cyber crimes against women accounted for 110 cases. [5]
Rising Cyber Crimes Against Women in India
‘I dream of a Digital India where cyber security becomes an integral part of our national security’
– Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As per recent reports, over 86% of Indian households are now connected to the internet, showcasing the remarkable progress achieved under the ‘Digital India’ initiative. [6]
However, the rapid digitalization of society, along with its transformative benefits, had also created new vulnerabilities, particularly for women. With increased online presence comes increased exposure to cyber risks such as – cyberstalking, online harassment, bullying, impersonation, non-consensual sharing of personal and private images, online extortion and other fraudulent practices targeting women. [7]
The severity of the situation is reflected in the significant rise in cybersecurity incidents. India witnessed a jump from 10.29 lakh cases to 22.68 lakh cases in 2024, indicating not only the frequence of cybercrimes but also the growing complexity of digital threats. [8]
The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) reported a 118.4 percent rise in online crimes between 2020 and 2024 against women under four major categories: online child sexual abuse and exploitation, gang rape and sexual abuse online content, sexually explicit acts, and sexually obscene material. [9]
NCW Calls for Gender-Sensitive Cyber Law Reforms
Recognizing the urgent need for systematic intervention, the National Commission for Women (NCW) had recommended a comprehensive review of cyber laws related to online crimes against women. These recommendations have been shared with the Ministry of Law and Justice, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Ministry of Women and Child Development, and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The report titled ‘Digital Rights, Privacy Protections and Platform Accountability’[10] issued by the NCW is the culmination of a year-long national consultation process involving legal experts, professionals, technology specialists, police officers, academicians and members of civil society.
Its objective is clear:
- To evaluate and reform India’s cyber legal framework through a gender-sensitive lens that acknowledges how online harms uniquely and disproportionately affect women and girls.
- To modernize legal protections for women in cyberspace
- To strengthen digital rights and privacy protections for women
- To promote platform accountability and transparency
- To enhance forensic and law enforcement capacities and
- To foster digital literacy and preventive awareness through education and community engagement.
NCW’s Proposed Recommendations
The NCW’s recommendations call for far-reaching reforms in India’s cyber safety and data protection laws, including:
| S. No. | Legal Framework | Proposed Recommendations |
| 1. | Information Technology Act, 2002 | · Tougher penalties under Sections 66, 66C, 66D & 68 for offences against women and children
· Penal action for threats to share private or obscene content · Mandatory Victim Compensation Fund and appointment of district-level psychologists and forensic experts |
| 2. | IT Rules, 2021 | · Longer user data retention (360 days) and stronger victim anonymity
· Mandatory account verification and inclusion of AI-manipulated imagery in rules · New provisions for gender-based harassment, platform transparency, AI audits, victim support and cross-border content regulation |
| 3. | Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 | · Define ‘sensitive personal data’ and ‘gender-specific damage’
· Stricter consent norms and 24-hour breach reporting · Mandatory removal of non-consensual content within 12 hours · Tiered penalties for gendered data misuse and anonymous reporting options |
| 4. | POSH Act, 2013 | · Extend protection to digital harassment and remote workplaces
· Digital evidence protocols and tech support for Internal Committees (ICs) |
| 5. | Indecent Representation of Women Act, 1986 | · Cover online and OTT content
· Swift 48-hour recourse for digital offences · Accountability of intermediaries and victim compensation fund |
| 6. | POCSO Act, 2012 | · Recognize digital manipulation and online grooming as offences
· Increased penalties and child anonymity protection · Social media accountability for failure to report abuse. |
| 7. | Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 | · Protect complainant identity in cyber offences
· Include cyberbullying, trolling, deepfakes and privacy violations · Intermediaries to remove harmful content within 36 hours |
| 8. | Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 | · Recognize metadata and temporary files as key digital evidence
· Ensure fast-track forensic analysis and chain of custody for cybercrimes |
| 9. | Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 | · Quick recording of victim statements and timely sharing of charge sheet/judgment
· Enhanced procedures for seizure and handling of digital evidence |
“The digital world has opened infinite doors for women-of learning, enterprise and expression-but it has also given rise to new frontiers of threat and intimidation. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that technology becomes an instrument of empowerment, not exploitation.
Through this report, NCW envisions a cyber ecosystem where laws do not merely punish offenders, but protect dignity, where awareness replaces fear; and where every woman can step into the digital world without hesitation-confident, informed and secure”
– as rightly remarked by Smt. Vijaya Rahatkar, Chairperson, NCW.
[1] https://ssrana.in/articles/ncw-states-implementation-posh-act-coaching-educational-institutes/
[2] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1876462
[6] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=155384&ModuleId=3
[7] https://ssrana.in/articles/remedies-and-deepfakes-prevention-protection-and-redressal/
[8] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=155384&ModuleId=3
[9] https://www.newindianexpress.com/opinions/2025/Oct/20/deepfakes-doxxing-and-digital-abuse
[10] https://cdn.ncw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/984KB-1.pdf