The e-SafeHER Programme - INSIGHTS IAS

Source:  PIB Subject:  Miscellaneous Context: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched e-SafeHER, a massive cybersecurity training initiative designed to empower one million women across rural India. About The e-SafeHER Programme: What it is? e-SafeHER is a specialized Cyber Security Awareness Training Programme tailored for rural women. It is anchored under MeitY’s larger Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) framework and operates on a peer-led, community-based model to bridge the gap between digital access and digital security. Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Aim: To enable one million women across rural India to participate safely in the digital ecosystem over the next three years (by 2029). To strengthen last-mile cybersecurity awareness for women engaged in digital financial transactions and online livelihoods. To create a gender-responsive and sustainable model for cyber-safe digital inclusion. Key Features: The Cyber Sakhi Model: The programme trains women to become Cyber Sakhis (cyber friends) who then act as peer educators within their local communities. Multilingual Localization: C-DAC leads the development of localized, audio-visual modules and training materials adapted into multiple Indian languages to ensure accessibility. Leveraging SHGs: The initiative specifically works through women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to reach the remotest rural regions without requiring new infrastructure. Phased Implementation: The programme begins in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha before scaling nationally. Blended Learning: Combines structured technical training with community-based interventions and audio-visual modules to drive measurable behavioral changes. Evidence-Based Scaling: Insights from the initial implementation will be used for policy integration and replication with other partners across the country. Significance: It ensures that women are not just online but are securely online, protecting them from rising cyber risks like financial fraud and identity theft. By building confidence in digital transactions, the programme enables women to utilize the power of digital platforms for their livelihoods and micro-enterprises. It contributes to the vision of a Cyber Secure Bharat by extending the national cybersecurity framework to the grassroots level.