e-SafeHER Programme Enforces Cyber-security among Women.

Overview

The e-SafeHER Cyber Security Awareness Programme is an initiative to empower women in rural India to practice safe digital habits. The project will empower one million women to be comfortable in the digital ecosystem through better cybersecurity awareness and inclusive digital access.

About the Initiative

e-SafeHER is a rural-specific community-driven cybersecurity training programme targeted at rural women. It is aimed at creating a gender-responsive approach to digital safety via awareness, training and peer learning. The program aims at closing digital gender gap and enhancing the role of women in the online world.

Institutional Framework

The programme will be anchored by the Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) programme of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It is run by Centre of Development of Advanced Computing along with Reliance Foundation hence providing technical know-how as well as reaching the grassroots.

Goals and Action Plan.

The main aim is to produce "Cyber Sakhis" - trained women who will disseminate the information on how to practice safe digital behaviors in their societies. The programme is led by peers through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) that will provide last-mile connectivity. It will be first rolled out in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, but will be expanded nationwide by 2029.

Significance and Impact

The project will be scalable and sustainable because it will incorporate cybersecurity awareness in the current digital literacy and women empowerment programmes. It will be able to enhance cyber risk awareness, promote safe online transactions, and develop confidence in the use of online services among rural women.

Exam-Focused Key Points

• e-SafeHER is aimed at one million rural women.
• Focus on cybersecurity awareness and digital inclusion.
• Under the ISEA programme of MeitY implemented by C-DAC.
• relies on SHG-based community model (Cyber Sakhis).
• Phased rollout till 2029 across India.

Practice Questions (with Answers)

Q1. What is the key goal of the e-SafeHER project?
Rationale: To raise awareness towards cybersecurity among rural women.

Q2. What is the ministry that the programme is based on?
Response: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Q3. Who are “Cyber Sakhis”?
Response: Women (who have been trained) to encourage digital safety within communities.

Q4. What organisation is the implementer of the programme?
Response: Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).