e-SafeHER initiative to train one million rural women in cybersecurity - The News Mill

Nation and Beyond Reliance Foundation and MeitY launch e-SafeHER to train one million rural women in cybersecurity TNM (With ANI Inputs) | Published On: Apr 13, 2026 ANI Photo | Reliance Foundation and MeitY launch e-SafeHER to train one million rural women in cybersecurity Reliance Foundation and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Hyderabad, a scientific society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, have launched e-SafeHER, a Cyber Security Awareness Training programme aimed at enabling one million women across rural India to participate safely and confidently in the digital ecosystem. This initiative, part of MeitY’s Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) programme, will have C-DAC Hyderabad develop content and training materials, while Reliance Foundation will facilitate dissemination through women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in rural communities. e-SafeHER addresses cybersecurity awareness among women in rural India, who increasingly use digital platforms for financial transactions, livelihoods, and access to essential services. The programme involves structured training and community-based interventions resulting from a collaboration between C-DAC Hyderabad and Reliance Foundation. Shri S Krishnan, IAS, Secretary of MeitY, stated, “In an era where the Government of India is pushing for capacity, collaboration and resilience to ensure that we reach across the length and breadth of the country towards a Cyber Secure Bharat, e-SafeHER is an exciting opportunity where we will bring together the curriculum and knowledge of the MeitY’s Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) programme.” He added, “Through C-DAC working together with Reliance Foundation, this initiative will enable women from the remotest rural regions to be safe, seen and empowered. We look forward to a model initiative that can be replicated and scaled up with like-minded partners across the country.” Isha Ambani, Director of Reliance Foundation, said, “Rural women in India are coming online faster than ever. Reliance Foundation is committed to not just accelerating women’s digital inclusion but also to equipping them with the knowledge and skills to stay safe. We are pleased to partner with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), GoI and C-DAC to provide cybersecurity awareness training through ‘e-SafeHER’, which aims to enable women to build the skills and knowledge to stay safe online, as they utilise the power of digital to strengthen their lives and livelihoods.” She added, “Through this initiative, we aim to empower one million Cyber Sakhis in rural India over the next three years, helping them build safe online practices so they embrace the digital world with confidence.” C-DAC will lead the development, localisation, and continuous enhancement of cybersecurity training content under the ISEA Project, including multilingual adaptation. Reliance Foundation will utilise its extensive grassroots presence and women’s empowerment platforms across rural India to deliver the programme through a peer-led, community-based model. The initiative will begin by training Cyber Sakhis in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha and intends to scale to one million women by 2029 through multi-stakeholder partnerships. Designed for scale and sustainability, cybersecurity awareness will be integrated within existing women’s empowerment and digital literacy programmes, ensuring continuity without the need for parallel infrastructure. Localised content, audio-visual modules, and blended learning approaches will improve accessibility and engagement. e-SafeHER aims to drive measurable behavioural outcomes such as improved awareness of cyber risks, increased confidence in digital transactions, and adoption of safe digital practices by participants. Insights from implementation will support evidence-based scale-up and policy integration nationwide. Reliance Foundation is committed to empowering women across India through initiatives including leadership capacity building, women’s entrepreneurship support, digital literacy, employment and skills development, health improvements, and education, sports, and arts opportunities. e-SafeHER builds on this groundwork by creating a woman-centric safety net to increase confidence in digital skills across rural India. Combining MeitY’s national cybersecurity framework, C-DAC’s technical expertise, and Reliance Foundation’s community-driven delivery model, e-SafeHER seeks to ensure that women in rural India are not only digitally included but also digitally secure. Subscribe to our Newsletter You may also like Sports DC post 155/7 against CSK with Akael and Noor key in IPL 2026 TNM (With ANI Inputs) | May 5, 2026 Nation and Beyond AAP’s Sanjeev Jha demands Rs 1 crore compensation and government job for family in Jaffarpur Kalan murder case TNM (With ANI Inputs) | May 5, 2026 Nation and Beyond Cabinet approves ship repair facility to boost India’s maritime capabilities TNM (With ANI Inputs) | May 5, 2026