Gendered Dimensions of Cyber Security: Risks, Impacts, and Solutions in The Digital Era

Abstract

Cybersecurity, a foundation stone of the digital age, affects individuals across all demographics, yet its connection with gender is often unnoticed. From online harassment to cyber-stalking, from cyber-bullying to hate speech, from threats to image-based abuse, from revenge pornography to discrimination, women and other marginalised genders experience heightened risk of cybersecurity. This research focuses on the unique sensitivity these groups face in the digital era, highlighting the sociocultural and systemic factors that worsen their exposure to online platforms. Initially, the paper explores the prevalence and forms of gender based online harassment, analysing its psychosomatic, social, and professional impacts. The study examines how the digital divide and the lack of comprehensive cybersecurity policies contribute to these challenges, drawing on the experiences, perceptions, and responses of vulnerable groups to online risks. The paper also suggests that various stakeholders, including governments, tech companies, and civil society organisations, adopt precautionary and receptive strategies to create safer online atmospheres. Comparative analyses of case studies from different countries and legal systems enlighten the best practices and persistent gaps in resolving this concern. The researchers used doctrinal methodology, relying on both primary and secondary sources. This study aims to contribute to the universal discourse and thoughtful understanding of cybersecurity and to inform strategies to enhance digital safety, equity, and inclusion.