New Delhi, August 25, 2025: Girl Effect India has launched CTRL+SHIFT+RESPECT, an initiative aimed at addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) and promoting safer digital spaces for adolescent girls and young women.
TFGBV, including cyberstalking, impersonation, and online harassment, has emerged as a significant challenge in India. Research highlights that 54.8% of women in India have faced some form of TFGBV, with cyberstalking (61.77%) and impersonation (61.02%) being the most common. Victim-survivors have reported serious consequences such as anxiety, depression, social isolation, and disruptions in education and careers. Despite this, only 30% reported incidents to law enforcement, underscoring gaps in redressal and trust.
The initiative was launched in the presence of over 20 organisations, including UN Women, Laadli Foundation, RATI Foundation, Point of View, Center for Social Research, Restless Development, The Quantum Hub, ChildFund India, and Radio Mirchi.
“As our world becomes more and more digital, so do the spaces where harm can occur. Just as technology has the power to connect, educate, and empower, it is also being misused to harm, shame, troll and perpetrate gender-based violence, especially against women and girls. CTRL+SHIFT+RESPECT is our youth-powered program challenging online abuse and tech-facilitated gender-based violence by shifting mindsets, sparking conversations, and demanding a digital culture rooted in respect,” said Kavita Ayyagari, Country Director, Girl Effect India.
A youth champion from Girl Effect’s Gully Youth Lab added, “We see girls around us silenced every day because of online abuse. Programs like CTRL+SHIFT+RESPECT give us the power to not only speak up but also to help rewrite the rules of the internet.”
The initiative will equip girls with digital literacy and awareness of their rights, while also engaging boys, parents, and educators to shift mindsets. It will strengthen survivor support systems in collaboration with civil society and government agencies. A key component is CTRL+SHIFT+HELP, described as India’s first comprehensive resource connecting victim-survivors with verified legal, psychosocial, and community-based support services. Girl Effect also showcased Bol Behen, a WhatsApp chatbot offering 24x7 access to information on TFGBV.
CBSE representatives attending the launch emphasised the importance of socio-emotional wellbeing of children and the critical role of parents and educators in navigating digital spaces.
The initiative is based on formative research in Delhi and Mumbai, which found that many girls recognised harmful online experiences but often chose silence due to fear of blame or loss of access to digital devices. Boys expressed willingness to challenge harmful behaviours but lacked spaces for allyship. Parents, while concerned, often resorted to restrictive measures due to limited digital literacy.
CTRL+SHIFT+RESPECT aims to shift this landscape by building awareness, fostering collective accountability, and placing girls at the centre of shaping solutions to make digital spaces safer, equal, and respectful.
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