Digital Gender-Based Violence Puts Women’s Digital Rights at Risk, Experts Say

As Pakistan’s digital footprint expands, experts from law, media, education, regulation, and law enforcement have warned that weak institutional capacity and limited public awareness are leaving citizens vulnerable to cybercrime and digital gender-based violence (GBV). Speakers stressed that securing digital lives now requires a coordinated national response that treats digital rights as fundamental human rights rather than optional policy concerns.

These concerns were raised on Monday at a seminar titled “Securing Digital Lives: Cybersecurity, Gender-Based Violence and Digital Rights”, organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in Islamabad. The discussion highlighted growing risks in cyberspace, systemic gaps in enforcement of existing laws, and the urgent need to move beyond reactive policymaking.

PTA Acknowledges Digital Gender Inequality and Enforcement Challenges

Addressing the seminar as chief guest, Director General Cyber and Vigilance at the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Brigadier (Retd) Dr. Mukarram Ali Khan, acknowledged the existence of gender-based digital inequality and the challenges faced in protecting women and children online.

He pointed out that many digital crimes are facilitated through fake or illegally issued SIMs, emphasizing PTA’s ongoing actions against illegal SIM sellers. Dr. Khan clarified that the regulator blocks websites and online platforms strictly on government directives, countering perceptions of arbitrary censorship.

Highlighting progress, he noted improvements in Pakistan’s global digital rankings, enhanced child online protection initiatives, and PTA’s collaboration with international technology companies such as Meta. He also revealed that the government is studying global regulatory models aimed at restricting social media use for minors, reflecting increasing concern over child safety online.

SDPI Deputy Executive Director Dr. Shafqat Munir described cyberspace as an inescapable part of modern life, stressing that societies must learn to coexist with digital technologies through balanced legislation, public awareness, and responsible governance.

He argued that policy responses rooted solely in control or restriction are insufficient and risk undermining fundamental freedoms. Instead, he called for a framework that combines protection, rights, and accountability, ensuring that citizens are empowered rather than policed in digital spaces.

Weak Prosecution Undermines Cybercrime Deterrence

Advocate Malik Saqib Mahmood, a Supreme Court expert on criminal practice, said cyberspace has become integral to daily life and that violence in digital spaces mirrors deeper societal problems. While Pakistan’s cyber laws provide for penalties of up to 14 years’ imprisonment for certain offences, he noted that weak prosecution and inconsistent judicial trends significantly weaken deterrence.

He emphasized the need for effective complaint response mechanisms, swift redressal, and stricter legal safeguards against false reporting of cybercrime cases. He also drew attention to the legal distinction between cognizable and non-cognizable cyber offences, arguing that lack of clarity and uneven application of the law hampers enforcement and public trust.

Education System Still Reacting to Digital Harms

Director of the National Curriculum Council, Dr. Tabassum Naz, said Pakistan’s approach to digital harms remains largely reactive. She advocated a “whole-of-society” approach, involving educators, parents, regulators, and communities.

While issues such as cyberbullying, identity theft, and responsible digital behavior are now part of the national curriculum, she stressed that merely including topics is not enough. Assessing behavioral outcomes and the mental development of students is equally critical. She added that rationalization and optimization of the national curriculum is currently underway, with provincial consultations aimed at improving coherence and impact.

Former Inspector General of Police and Federal Secretary Dr. Syed Kaleem Imam warned that digital harm causes long-term psychological and emotional damage, particularly for women and young people. He cautioned that declining trust in institutions is pushing some citizens toward vigilantism.

He identified over-surveillance, selective policing, and weak institutional capacity as major challenges in Pakistan’s digital governance landscape. According to him, strengthening institutions must go hand in hand with grooming skilled individuals and rehabilitating victims of digital abuse through education, awareness, and support systems.

Deputy Director of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Akram Mughal, emphasized that public awareness of cyber laws is essential. He noted that the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 clearly defines punishments but remains largely reactive in nature.

He revealed that Pakistan’s cybercrime conviction rate stands at 3.7 percent, compared to India’s 2.7 percent, highlighting that low conviction rates are a global issue. Mughal called for a separate data protection law and a clearer division of responsibilities, with investigation handled by NCCIA and regulation by PTA, to improve accountability and efficiency.

Online Abuse Against Women Remains Largely Unpunished

Executive Director of IRADA, Aftab Alam, described online abuse against women as “tech-based gender-based violence”, highlighting stark digital gender gaps. He cited data showing that 1.5 billion women in low- and middle-income countries are connected to the internet, yet in Pakistan, women’s access to smartphones and connectivity remains significantly lower than men’s.

Referring to data from the Digital Rights Foundation, he said around 20,000 complaints of online violence against women have been recorded, while conviction rates remain below one percent. He called for clearer legal definitions, particularly of cyber terrorism under PECA, and reiterated that digital rights are internationally recognized as human rights under the United Nations framework.

Media Warns Against Misuse of Cyber Laws

Senior anchorperson and journalist Tanzeela Mazhar warned that denial of gender-based violence and excessive regulation pose serious risks. She cautioned against moral policing and selective justice, arguing that laws like PECA are sometimes misused for witch-hunting, which damages the credibility of the state.

She called for flexible reporting mechanisms, stronger privacy protections for victims, and gender-sensitive legal jurisprudence. According to her, digital literacy and societal grooming are more effective long-term solutions than censorship-driven approaches.

What This Means Going Forward

During the question-and-answer session, speakers converged on three core priorities: improving digital literacy, rebuilding trust between the state and society, and strengthening NCCIA’s institutional capacity to investigate and prosecute cybercrime effectively.

The seminar highlights a growing consensus that Pakistan’s digital future cannot be secured through legislation alone. Without awareness, institutional reform, and recognition of digital rights as human rights, experts warned that cybercrime and online GBV will continue to outpace the country’s ability to respond.