By: Ayesha Rasool
The 21st century is an era of the internet, and this technology has revolutionized the world, making it a global village where people can easily communicate, trade, and educate. This new information and communication technology has many benefits, such as inexpensive and easy communication, the ability to easily start a business, and access to online education. However, it also has its downsides, one of which is cyber harassment. Cyber harassment, or cyber bullying, refers to the harassment of people through the use of information and communication technology.It includes various forms of harassment, such as caricature, spam, hate mail, deception, and other illegal activities.Cyber harassment can have a significant negative impact on a person’s emotional well-being, leading to suicidal thoughts and other harmful effects. Anyone can be a target of online bullying, regardless of age, gender, profession, caste, ethnicity, or social stature. The use of hateful messages, disturbing recommendations, altered photos, and videos are common means of cyber bullying.The privacy of individuals is often breached by harassers who use personal information to tarnish their image, leading to severe psychological and emotional distress. In fact, studies have shown that a significant percentage of online users have been direct targets of online bullying, with some facing more severe forms of bullying, such as physical threats, sexual harassment, and stalking . The harassers aim to oppress and threaten individuals to establish a dominant position, with women being particularly vulnerable due to societal inequalities and gender-based power dynamics.
Pakistan, being a patriarchal society, experiences a high level of cyber bullying and harassment against women. Women in Pakistan face various forms of cyber bullying, including harassment, blackmailing, hate speech, creation of fake accounts, stalking, trolling, and identity theft. This explicit expression of inequality and abuse against women is deeply entrenched in society, where women have historically been subjected to unequal treatment, violence, and discrimination, such as abuses, rapes, honor killings, acid attacks, domestic violence, and forced marriages.
With the increasing internet access in Pakistan, more women are falling victim to cyber bullying. It is estimated that a significant percentage of women using the internet have faced cyber harassment on popular social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, Twitter, and through emails. Women from various professions, including actors, singers, students, journalists, and teachers, have experienced some form of cyber harassment.Despite effective cyber harassment laws in Pakistan, many cases go unreported and remain uninvestigated, leading to a lack of justice for victims. The slow investigating process and low prosecution rates contribute to the disappointment among victims and embolden harassers. However, efforts have been made to combat cybercrimes in Pakistan, such as the establishment of the National Response Center for Cyber Crimes (NR3C) by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which provides an online platform for reporting cyber harassment and offers tips for prevention and securing online accounts. In addition to the legal framework, it is crucial to raise awareness about cyber bullying and provide support for victims. Education and advocacy can help empower individuals to recognize and report cyber bullying incidents, while fostering a culture of respect and empathy online. Society as a whole needs to work towards addressing gender inequalities and challenging the patriarchal norms that perpetuate harassment and discrimination against women.
Cyber bullying is a serious issue with significant consequences for individuals’ well-being, particularly for women in Pakistan. It requires a multi-faceted approach involving legal measures, awareness campaigns, and societal changes to create a safer and more inclusive online environment. I thank to Respected Sir Dr. Muhammad Akram Zaheer for his valuable source of guidance to write this piece. He generously shared his time and knowledge, providing me with valuable feedback and constructive criticism that has significantly improved the quality of my work. His patience, encouragement, and willingness to engage in meaningful discussions have been truly inspiring.
The author is Student of BS Health and Nutrition in University of Okara contact mano26573@gmail.com
