Arif Anwar Baloch
In this patriarchal world, a large majority of men have been trying to put women in a relatively low position. Whenever try to outshine them, they are harassed and bullied in multiple ways. Cyber harassment against women is a new phenomenon done by men to show and maintain their so-called superiority. Most women worldwide and also the issue of cyber harassment in Pakistan in worse as there have been victims of cyberbullying like stalking, physical threats, name-calling, and sexual harassment.
Internet technology has turned the world into a global village where people have easy access to all kinds of information and have many benefits such as inexpensive communication, easy business, and online education but at the same time, it has some monstrous issues and one of them is cyber harassment. “Cyber harassment or cyberbullying” refers to the harassment of people through electronic means.
Cyber harassment includes posting rumors, caricatures, threats, sexual remarks, a victim’s personal information, hate speech, etc. It can be identified by repeated behavior and intent of harm to the victim. Anyone can be a target of online bullying be it children, men, or women, belonging to any profession, caste, ethnicity, or social stature. Cyber harassment results in low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts in even the strongest individual after being bullied.
Cyber harassers try to target people to oppress and threaten them but their soft targets are women. Women are yet to be given equal economic, social, and political participation opportunities to men and power in society. They have been trying to get an equal position in society and counter harassment.
In Pakistan, a large number of women have been victims of abuse, rape, honor-killing, acid attacks, domestic violence, and forced marriages. The latest arrival in this list regarding online abuse of women in Pakistan has been cyberbullying and harassment which means all types of gender-based violence are now on the internet in Pakistan. The unidentified persons bully/harass them by creating of fake accounts, cartoons, indecent messages, stalking, and threats resulting in severe mental, psychological, and physical agony.
Pakistan ranks among countries where internet access is increasing day by day. According to Digital Rights Foundation Report, 2018, a survey of 1000 Pakistani women related to cyberbullying against females in Pakistan found that 72% of them had experienced some form of online harassment or abuse, in the form of stalking, unwanted messages, or threats. Covid-19 had exacerbated this issue when many women and girls faced online harassment or abuse during the lockdown.
In Pakistan, women often face cyberbullying and online misogyny for having strong opinions about the patriarchal society and its allied issues. It makes a link between women’s rights and online harassment in Pakistan. Many prominent women have also faced this, including media stars, journalists, women rights activists, lawyers, politicians, etc.
Regarding Women’s safety and cybercrime in Pakistan, women and girls in Pakistan can benefit from the following legal framework for cyber harassment or social media harassment against women in Pakistan:
- The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (Sections 20,21,22,24 and 25)
- The Pakistan Penal Code (Sections 292-C, 499 and 509).
- The Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010
(Sections 2(g), Section 4, and Section 12)
However, the effectiveness of these laws needs strict enforcement. The willingness of victims to file complaint against cyber harassment is also required.
The biggest challenge in implementing these laws is the lack of awareness and knowledge of the available legal protections. As a result, victims may be reluctant to report harassment or seek legal remedies resulting in underreporting of these cases. Male-dominated society and cultural restrictions create problems for women to speak out against harassment or violence. Fear of retaliation and moral stigmas also discourage victims from reporting/seeking legal assistance. Insufficient resources and lack of technical expertise of concerned agencies also hinder the effective enforcement of these legal frameworks.
However, there have been some positive developments in the implementation of legal frameworks to combat this menace. Cyber Harassment Helpline has been established to support and assist the victims seeking help and advice. Similarly, the Digital Rights Foundation has played an important role in awareness of the issue and advocacy for women’s rights in the digital space.
Although some high-profile cases have been prosecuted under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, a lot still needs to be done to ensure that victims can access legal resources and support.
The writer is the Federal Secretary, currently serving as Secretary, National Commission on the Status of Women.