Women commission, National Law University Assam discuss amendments to cyber laws affecting women

Guwahati (Assam) [India], October 26 : The National Commission for Women (NCW), in collaboration with the National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam (NLUJA), organised the first Regional Law Review Consultation for 2024-25 on the topic "Cyber Laws Affecting Women," according to a press release issued on Saturday.
The consultation, held at NLUJA's Seminar Hall, brought together over 40 legal experts from the northeastern states to discuss necessary amendments to cyber laws impacting women.

In line with Section 10(1)(d) of the NCW Act, 1992, the NCW reviews laws concerning women whenever statutory gaps or inadequacies are identified. For the 2024-25 term, "Cyber Laws Affecting Women" has been prioritised as a significant topic for review. Eight consultations will be conducted between October 26 and December 7, 2024, in partnership with law colleges and universities across India, covering regions such as North, South, East, West, Central, and Northeast.
These consultations aim to bring together experts from diverse fields--including judges, senior advocates, police officers, government officials, academics, civil society representatives, and victims--to share experiences and propose solutions for addressing gaps in current laws and policies, the release said.
This session centred on key legislation such as the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Information Technology Act, 2000, proposed amendments to the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, and relevant sections of the POSH Act. Discussions addressed critical issues such as cyberstalking, bullying, impersonation, identity theft, and deepfakes.
Justice Rumi Kumari Phukan, former judge of the Gauhati High Court and Chief Guest of the consultation, shared insights on cybercrimes against women, drawn from her extensive judicial experience. She emphasised the need for synergy between legislation, legal infrastructure, and enforcement sensitivity to build an effective redressal ecosystem.
Prof. (Dr.) Indrajit Dube, Vice-Chancellor of NLU Meghalaya and Guest of Honour, highlighted systemic issues hindering policy, law enforcement, and the judicial system, noting that many cases remain underreported. He advocated for mandatory reporting obligations for digital platforms, public-private partnerships, digital literacy initiatives, and robust accountability measures. He also underscored the essential role of universities, NGOs, and civil society in educating and empowering women to navigate cyberspace safely.
Dr Arjun Chetri, Assistant Director at the North Eastern Police Academy under the Ministry of Home Affairs, discussed the rise of AI-driven cybercrimes like deepfakes, stressing the need for stringent penalties under Section 66E of the IT Act and other laws to keep pace with digital advancements.
Dr Chetri also highlighted the challenges posed by emerging technologies and the necessity for responsive legislation to protect vulnerable groups.
Representatives from the NCW, including A. Asholi Chalai, Joint Secretary, and Bhavika Sharma, Junior Technical Expert, participated in the consultation. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Nandarani Choudhury, Co-Coordinator of the Centre for Gender Justice at NLUJA, Assam.