India’s rapid digital transformation has redefined access to financial services, governance, and livelihoods, particularly in rural areas. However, this expansion has also exposed new vulnerabilities, especially among first-generation internet users. Within this context, the launch of the e-SafeHER initiative represents a critical policy intervention aimed at bridging the gap between digital inclusion and digital security. Anchored by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) through its Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) programme and implemented in partnership with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Hyderabad, and Reliance Foundation, the initiative seeks to create a scalable, community-driven model of cybersecurity awareness targeting one million rural women over the next three years.
India’s Expanding Digital Landscape: Inclusion with Emerging Risks
The significance of such an initiative becomes evident when viewed against the backdrop of India’s expanding digital ecosystem. India now has over 850 million internet users (2024–25 estimates), making it the second-largest online market globally. According to the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), rural India accounts for nearly 48–50% of total internet users, with rural user growth outpacing urban adoption.
Importantly, women represent one of the fastest-growing segments of new users. Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) shows that while internet usage among women has risen significantly, a gender gap of nearly 20–25 percentage points still persists in many states. Furthermore, GSMA’s Mobile Gender Gap Report indicates that women in India are 30% less likely than men to use mobile internet, highlighting structural inequalities.
At the same time, increased connectivity has coincided with rising cyber risks. According to the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), India reported over 1.3 million cybersecurity incidents in 2022, with continued increases in phishing, OTP fraud, and financial scams. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also noted a steady rise in digital payment frauds, particularly affecting new users unfamiliar with safe digital practices.
Bridging the Cyber Awareness Gap: The Role of e-SafeHER
The e-SafeHER programme addresses this asymmetry by focusing on last-mile cybersecurity literacy. Unlike conventional top-down awareness campaigns, it adopts a decentralised, peer-led approach through the creation of “Cyber Sakhis”—trained women who act as local digital safety ambassadors within their communities.
This approach is grounded in behavioural development research. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank have consistently found that peer learning and community-based models improve retention of knowledge by 20–40% compared to traditional training methods, especially in low-literacy environments.
The Cyber Sakhi model is also aligned with India’s success in deploying community-based change agents in sectors such as health (ASHA workers) and financial inclusion (Banking Correspondents). By leveraging trusted local networks, e-SafeHER enhances both credibility and adoption of safe digital practices.
Policy Integration: Cybersecurity within Digital Inclusion Frameworks
From a policy perspective, e-SafeHER reflects a shift towards integrating cybersecurity into the broader framework of digital inclusion. Flagship initiatives such as Digital India, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) programmes have dramatically expanded access to digital infrastructure.
- Over 500 million Jan Dhan accounts have been opened.
- India processes over 12 billion UPI transactions monthly (2025 estimates).
- DBT has cumulatively transferred over ₹30 lakh crore directly into beneficiary accounts.
However, this rapid expansion has outpaced cybersecurity awareness. RBI data suggests that a significant proportion of fraud cases involve social engineering attacks, where users unknowingly share OTPs or credentials.
By embedding cybersecurity awareness within Self-Help Groups (SHGs)—which collectively mobilise over 90 million women under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM)—e-SafeHER ensures that digital literacy is complemented by risk awareness, thereby strengthening trust in digital systems.
Convergence of Technology and Community Networks
A key strength of the initiative lies in its institutional architecture. The role of C-DAC in developing and localising training content ensures technical robustness and contextual relevance. The use of multilingual, audio-visual, and interactive modules addresses linguistic and educational barriers—critical in a country with over 22 scheduled languages and hundreds of dialects.
Reliance Foundation’s grassroots outreach further strengthens implementation by leveraging existing community networks. Its presence across multiple states enables last-mile delivery in remote and underserved regions, where government outreach alone may face limitations.
This convergence exemplifies a public-private partnership (PPP) model, increasingly recognised by institutions like the World Bank as essential for scaling development interventions efficiently. Evidence suggests that PPP-led social programmes often achieve higher outreach and cost efficiency, particularly in complex socio-economic environments.
Phased Implementation and Evidence-Based Scaling
The phased implementation strategy, beginning with states such as Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, allows for iterative learning and contextual adaptation. These states have been selected due to their high rural population share and active SHG networks, making them ideal for pilot testing.
The programme incorporates monitoring mechanisms focused on behavioural outcomes, including:
- Increase in awareness of cyber threats
- Adoption of safe digital practices
- Reduction in fraud vulnerability
- Improved confidence in digital transactions
Global development research indicates that programmes with strong monitoring and evaluation frameworks are up to 50% more effective in achieving long-term outcomes. By embedding feedback loops, e-SafeHER aligns with best practices advocated by the World Bank and OECD.
Gender Responsiveness and Empowerment Outcomes
Gender responsiveness is a central pillar of e-SafeHER. Women in rural India face intersecting barriers, including limited access to education, financial services, and digital devices. According to NSSO data, female labour force participation remains below 30%, and digital access gaps further restrict economic opportunities.
Cybersecurity risks exacerbate these challenges. Fear of fraud and harassment often discourages women from engaging with digital platforms. Studies by UN Women indicate that online safety concerns are a major barrier to digital participation among women globally.
By equipping women with digital safety skills, e-SafeHER contributes to:
- Economic empowerment through safer participation in digital markets
- Financial inclusion via secure digital transactions
- Social empowerment through access to information and services
This aligns directly with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Strengthening India’s Cybersecurity Ecosystem
The initiative also has broader implications for India’s cybersecurity ecosystem. As digital adoption accelerates, the attack surface expands. CERT-In data indicates a multi-fold increase in cyber incidents over the past five years, with human error remaining a key vulnerability.
Globally, studies suggest that over 80–90% of cyber breaches involve a human element, such as weak passwords or phishing attacks. This underscores the importance of awareness alongside technological safeguards.
By focusing on grassroots capacity building, e-SafeHER strengthens the “human firewall”—a critical but often neglected component of cybersecurity frameworks.
Scalability, Sustainability, and Replicability
The programme’s emphasis on scalability and integration enhances its long-term sustainability. By embedding cybersecurity awareness within existing initiatives rather than creating parallel structures, e-SafeHER ensures:
- Efficient resource utilisation
- Institutional continuity
- Greater policy coherence
Its model is inherently scalable and can be extended across other states and sectors, including agriculture, health, and education. Moreover, the framework holds potential for replication in other developing countries facing similar challenges of digital expansion without corresponding security awareness.
e-SafeHER represents a forward-looking policy intervention that recognises the inseparable link between digital inclusion and digital security. By combining technological expertise, community engagement, and gender-sensitive design, the initiative addresses a critical gap in India’s digital transformation journey.
As India advances towards a $1 trillion digital economy, ensuring that users—particularly rural women—are equipped to navigate digital spaces safely will be essential. If implemented effectively, e-SafeHER can serve as a global model for gender-responsive cybersecurity, demonstrating how inclusive digital growth must be anchored in security, trust, and empowerment.
