Central University of Jammu organises workshop on “Cyber Crime against Women: emerging challenges and legal framework”

JAMMU: The Department of National Security Studies (NSS), Central University of Jammu (CUJ), in collaboration with the Centre for Women’s Studies (CWS), University of Jammu (UoJ), organized a half-day workshop on “Cyber Crime against Women: Emerging Challenges and Legal Framework” at the Brigadier Rajinder Singh Auditorium, CUJ. The workshop was conducted under the esteemed patronage of Prof. Sanjeev Jain, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, CUJ.

The programme was held under the supervision of Dr. Neeta Rani, Head, Department of NSS, CUJ, and coordinated by Dr. Tilak Raj Sharma, Assistant Professor, Department of NSS. The workshop commenced with a welcome address and introduction of the keynote speaker, Prof. Savita Nayyar, Director, Centre for Women’s Studies, University of Jammu, by Dr. R. Sudhakar, Associate Professor, NSS, CUJ. He highlighted the expanding security dimensions of cybercrime, particularly its gendered implications, and emphasized the necessity of sustained academic engagement with emerging digital threats.

Dr. Disha Sharma, Assistant Professor, CWS, UoJ, set the thematic tone of the workshop. She expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellors of both universities for supporting this collaborative initiative. While outlining the vision and mission of the Centre for Women’s Studies, she underscored the importance of social sensitization toward gender issues, especially in the context of cybercrime and the often insensitive handling of gender-based offences in digital spaces.

In her keynote address, Prof. Savita Nayyar explained the evolving character of cyber offences targeting women, drawing attention to challenges posed by digital anonymity, social media misuse, and technological vulnerabilities. She provided a structured overview of the existing legal framework, discussing statutory safeguards, institutional mechanisms and enforcement challenges, while identifying gaps in awareness and implementation. Emphasizing legal literacy, institutional accountability and digital ethics, she called for stronger coordination among law enforcement agencies, academic institutions, and civil society to foster a safer digital ecosystem for women.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Neeta Rani highlighted the broader security implications of cybercrime against women, situating it within the framework of non-traditional security threats. She stressed that cyber offences are no longer isolated legal issues but complex socio-security challenges requiring interdisciplinary research, policy innovation, and gender-sensitive governance mechanisms.In his remarks, Dr. Tilak Raj Sharma emphasized the growing intersection between cybersecurity, national security, and gender justice. He noted that strengthening digital awareness, enhancing reporting mechanisms, and promoting responsible online behaviour are essential components of preventive strategy. He further underscored the role of academic institutions in bridging the gap between policy discourse and societal awareness.

The session concluded with an engaging discussion and question-and-answer segment, during which participants deliberated on preventive strategies, reporting frameworks, and the need for cultural and institutional reforms. The programme ended with a formal vote of thanks by Dr. Sarabjit Kaur, Assistant Professor, CWS, UoJ, who expressed her gratitude to Vice Chancellor Prof. Sanjeev Jain on behalf of the Centre for Women ’s Studies, UoJ and appreciated the contribution of the distinguished speaker, faculty members, scholars, and participants in making the workshop a success.The workshop witnessed active participation from faculty members, research scholars and students, reflecting growing academic interest in cybersecurity, gender justice, and contemporary security studies. The event was widely appreciated for its academic depth, institutional collaboration, and contemporary relevance.