The Ministry of Human Rights Family Protection and Rehabilitation Centre joined the Social Welfare Training Institute, Islamic Relief, Rozan, UGood and AuratTech for a panel discussion in Islamabad focused on digital safety and technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Representatives from social welfare organisations, schools, child protection units and community groups exchanged firsthand accounts and concerns as incidents linked to online harm continue to rise.
Speakers highlighted an uptick in cyberbullying, image-based abuse, online grooming and privacy breaches affecting women and children across Pakistan. Panelists noted that these forms of abuse often remain hidden due to stigma and limited digital literacy, and stressed that improving digital safety requires practical measures that reach diverse communities.
The forum called for more accessible reporting mechanisms and stronger coordination between social services and cybercrime units to ensure timely responses. Participants emphasised capacity building for frontline staff, the development of multilingual awareness resources and the importance of youth-led initiatives to make digital safety messaging more relevant and effective.
Organisers said continued collaboration between government bodies, NGOs and community groups is needed to translate the panel’s recommendations into training programmes, school curricula and public outreach campaigns. By prioritising digital safety through joint action and localised resources, stakeholders aim to reduce technology-facilitated GBV and improve protection for vulnerable users across Pakistan.
