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Cyber ​​Sakhi: This initiative will be implemented under the Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) program of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Cyber ​​Sakhi: The Reliance Foundation and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) have joined forces to launch a special campaign aimed at ensuring the digital safety of rural women across the country. The objective of this initiative is to raise cybersecurity awareness among approximately one million women over the next three years. This campaign has been christened 'e-SafeHER,' with the specific goal of identifying and training 'Cyber ​​Sakhis' (Cyber ​​Friends) in villages to disseminate information regarding safe internet usage within their respective communities.

How the Program Will Function

According to media reports, this initiative will be executed under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) program. Under this framework, C-DAC will be responsible for developing the training materials and adapting them into local languages, while the Reliance Foundation will handle the on-ground implementation of the program.

The program will initially launch in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, following which it will be expanded to cover the entire country. Audio-visual and multi-lingual modules will be utilized for training purposes to ensure that the maximum number of women can learn and grasp the concepts with ease.

Rising Risks Amidst Growing Digital Adoption

In rural areas, the usage of smartphones, online payment platforms, and digital services among women is witnessing rapid growth. Concurrently, the threat of online fraud, data theft, and cyber-attacks has also escalated. It is with this specific challenge in mind that this initiative has been launched—to enable women to safeguard themselves while leveraging the benefits of the digital world, thereby avoiding exposure to any form of online risk.

Emphasis on a Community-Based Model

The most distinctive feature of this program is its community-driven model. Under this approach, the women who undergo the training will themselves take on the responsibility of spreading awareness within their local areas. In other words, the women who receive the initial training will subsequently step forward as 'Cyber ​​Sakhis' to educate others about cybersecurity. This strategy allows for the campaign to be scaled up and expanded across a wide geographical area without the need to establish an entirely new organizational infrastructure.

A Step Towards Digitally Empowering Women

Isha ​​Ambani observes that women in rural India are rapidly embracing the digital space and coming online. In this context, it is essential not only to connect them to the internet but also to teach them how to use it safely. Through this initiative, women will not only be provided with knowledge regarding cybersecurity but will also be empowered to become self-reliant and self-confident, enabling them to fully leverage the benefits of the digital world.