e-SafeHER Programme

 e-SafeHER Programme

Context:

Launched on April 13, 2026, the e-SafeHER Programme is a strategic collaboration between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), C-DAC, and the Reliance Foundation. It represents a significant step toward securing India’s rural digital frontier by focusing specifically on the safety of women.

Programme Overview

The initiative is anchored under MeitY’s Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) framework, which is currently in its third phase (Phase III). It aims to bridge the “security divide” for women who are rapidly entering the digital economy.

• Primary Goal: To empower one million women as “Cyber Sakhis” by 2029.
• Operational Hub: C-DAC Hyderabad leads the technical development and localization of content.
• Outreach Partner: Reliance Foundation leverages its grassroots network and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for delivery.

The “Cyber Sakhi” Model

The heart of the programme is the peer-led, community-based model.

1. Selection: Active women members from local Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are identified.
2. Training: They undergo intensive training in cyber hygiene, financial fraud prevention, and safe social media usage.
3. Peer Education: These “Cyber Sakhis” (Cyber Friends) then educate other women in their villages, creating a localized, trusted safety net.

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