This is the era of digital age, where online work have become an integral part of daily life, from offering opportunities for communication, flourishing business, online purchases and social and mass media engagement. The word “digital” carries immense potential in it where every individual feels empowerment, innovation and connectivity. Empowerment in digital spaces plays a crucial role in giving individuals a voice, promoting gender equality and enhancing professional opportunities related to online learning, access to knowledge and economic independence, especially for marginalized groups. However, this same technology can be misused for harassment, misinformation and exploitation, posing significant challenges related to get the advantages as well as the dangers of digital progress.
Digital harassment against women is a pervasive global issue. Worldwide, women experience disproportionately high rates of online abuse, including cyberstalking, online sexual harassment, doxing, cyberbullying and hate speech. Cyberbullying is currently a global challenge in the countries like Brazil and India where the reported ratio remained around 30% and in Pakistan it is reported around 45% during the year 2022 while the internet users were around 76 million. As per the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), released by the International Telecommunication Index in 2020, Pakistan ranked 79th in cybersecurity, highlighting the country’s engagement in cyber protection among the signatories. Pakistan currently is in the Tier 1 (Role-Modelling) rating and is now among top 40 countries in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024 issued by International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a notable improvement from its previous 79th position. This advancement reflects Pakistan’s dedication to strengthening cybersecurity nationwide, particularly in the IT and telecom sectors.
This advancement in technology has also led to a rise in harassment, as increased digital usage has contributed to the growing prevalence of digital harassment. Digital harassment has been a significant concern for women in Pakistan, with a growing number of cases affecting their safety and well-being. This form of cyber abuse includes online stalking, defamation and the unauthorized sharing of personal information. In response, the Pakistani government introduced the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, which criminalizes various forms of cyber harassment. Many organizations and activists are actively working to promote digital safety and offer support to victims of online abuse across the country. In January 2025, the Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), organized a program titled “Gender-Based Violence” (GBV) to address the growing concerns of digital harassment. The statistics shared during the event were alarming, revealing that approximately 40% of women in Pakistan have experienced online harassment and violence, while nearly 70% of female students have been subjected to various forms of digital abuse. Disturbingly, around 20% of these students have been forced to drop out of their educational institutions due to online harassment. Additionally, women journalists, human rights defenders and politicians continue to be frequent targets of online threats, severely impacting their professional lives.
Digital harassment, or cyber violence, is an escalating threat in the digital age, affecting women globally. Studies reveal that around 16% to58% of women worldwide have faced online violence, with 85% witnessing such incidents and 38% personally experiencing them. Globally, nearly 736 million women which is 1/3 suffer violence at least once in their lives, extending beyond personal relationships to online spaces. This rapid rise of online violence poses serious risks to women’s safety and well-being. Technological advancements, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), have further complicated cyber violence. Deepfake technology has enabled wrongdoers to create fabricated explicit content, making it increasingly difficult for victims to disprove false material, worsening their trauma. Addressing this issue requires urgent intervention through stronger regulations, awareness campaigns and support systems.
Digital harassment takes a severe psychological and social toll on victims, often leading to depression, anxiety and isolation. Many women withdraw themselves from these online spaces, negatively affecting their personal and professional lives, especially for young women, tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) can disrupt their education and deter them from careers in Sicence, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) or public service. Combating this issue requires a holistic approach, including strong legal frameworks, awareness campaigns and comprehensive support systems to ensure women’s safety and empowerment in digital spaces.
(The Writer is Sr. Manager Administration in Pak China Investment Company Limited)
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