GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN THE DIGITAL AGE: A SOCIOLEGAL STUDY OF INDIA'S CYBER GOVERNANCE AND RIGHTS FRAMEWORK

ABSTRACT: As India's digital landscape rapidly expands so do the risks of gender-based violence taking on new and complex forms in online spaces. This research provides a comprehensive socio-legal analysis of digital gender-based violence in India examining how evolving laws, policies and global conventions shape the rights and protections of women and marginalized genders. The study begins by highlighting the stark digital gender divide revealed by data showing women comprise only about one-third of internet users in India and a 28% rise in cybercrimes against women between 2019 and 2021 as reported by the National Crime Records Bureau. Through real-life cases, it documents forms of online GBV such as cyberstalking, nonconsensual image sharing, trolling and coordinated harassment that leave lasting psychological and economic scars on victims. The research outlines key national policies like the Digital India initiative and PMGDISHA that aim to improve internet access and digital literacy foundational steps in reducing vulnerability to cyber abuse. It provides an accessible overview of India's evolving legal framework including significant amendments to the Information Technology Act, the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023) and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (2023). Landmark judgments from Shreya Singhal striking down draconian content control provisions to the Puttaswamy privacy verdict and recent High Court orders on swift removal of non-consensual content are summarized to show the judiciary's growing sensitivity to digital rights and harms.