Jharkhand Minister Deepika Pandey Singh Highlights Parliament’s Role in Curbing Online Violence at Global Forum in Lucerne

 

Ranchi Jharkhand( India) – October 25, 2025 Deepika Pandey Singh, Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Jharkhand Government, proudly represented India at the Advancing Feminist Political Leadership and Securing Peace program held in Lucerne, Switzerland, on October 24–25, 2025. The event saw participation from women leaders and delegates from 47 countries.

The program aimed to strengthen women’s political leadership, promote equality and peace at the global level, and provide a platform for sharing experiences on digital and social challenges.

In her address, Minister Deepika Pandey Singh emphasized the role of Parliament and policymakers in preventing “Technology - Facilitated Gender - Based Violence.” 

She highlighted that the digital world, once a tool for women’s empowerment, has increasingly become a medium for harassment, threats, and intimidation. Online gender-based violence is not just a matter of personal safety but a serious issue that affects democracy and social stability.

The Minister shared statistics on digital violence in India. In 2022, 85% of Indian women experienced online harassment, and 54% faced technology-based violence. Additionally, 65% reported negative impacts on mental health. Only 30% of women lodged formal complaints, reflecting social stigma and a lack of  trust in the system.

To address this, Minister Pandey Singh proposed a three-pillar strategy:

1. Education: Promote digital literacy, online safety, and media awareness; provide training in local languages; conduct programs at schools and Panchayat levels.

2. Accountability: Strengthen laws; ensure platform accountability; provide training in police and cyber cells, with a focus on gender sensitivity.

3. Empowerment: Involve women in policymaking and leadership; engage men and boys as partners; promote community campaigns such as CTRL+SHIFT+RESPECT.

She also stressed the need for global collaboration, noting that India actively works with UNFPA, IPU, and international alliances to combat online violence. Campaigns like 16 Days of Activism reflect global commitment to digital rights and women’s safety.

Minister Pandey Singh underscored that Parliament and policymakers play a decisive role. They should enact women-centric digital safety laws, ensure accountability on online platforms, and recognize attacks on women MPs as threats to democracy. She added that when women are safe, they can lead fearlessly, innovate, and ensure equal participation in society.

By representing India at the program, Minister Deepika Pandey Singh conveyed that online safety for women is not only a matter of personal security but a crucial issue for protecting society, democracy, and equality.