According to a 2025 study by The Dialogue and Acts, 54.8 per cent of women in India have experienced some form of TFGBV, with cyberstalking (61.77 per cent) and impersonation (61.02 per cent) being the most common


Girl Effect India has launched CTRL+SHIFT+RESPECT, a national initiative aimed at tackling technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), which includes cyberstalking, impersonation, and online harassment. The programme seeks to create safer and more respectful digital spaces for adolescent girls and young women.

According to a 2025 study by The Dialogue and Acts, 54.8 per cent of women in India have experienced some form of TFGBV, with cyberstalking (61.77 per cent) and impersonation (61.02 per cent) being the most common. The report noted that nearly two-thirds of victim-survivors faced mental health consequences such as anxiety and depression, while systemic gaps in redressal persist; only 30 per cent reported incidents to law enforcement.

The initiative will focus on three key areas, building digital literacy among adolescent girls, engaging boys, parents, and educators to shift behaviours, and strengthening survivor support systems through partnerships with government agencies, civil society organisations, and community leaders.

As part of the programme, Girl Effect launched CTRL+SHIFT+HELP, which it described as India’s first comprehensive resource connecting survivors to verified legal, psychosocial, and community-based support services. It also showcased Bol Behen, a WhatsApp chatbot providing 24/7 information on navigating online risks.

The launch brought together over 20 organisations, including UN Women, Laadli Foundation, RATI Foundation, Point of View, Center for Social Research, and Radio Mirchi. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) also participated, underlining the role of schools and families in building safer digital environments.

Girl Effect India said the initiative is designed to be youth-led, evidence-based, and collaborative, with a focus on reducing the gender digital divide and encouraging systemic change.