Kolkata, 25 November 2025:
To mark the beginning of the global “16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” Swayam organised a panel discussion and launched two awareness films on Gender-Based Online Violence at the Kolkata Press Club on Tuesday. The event convened experts from law enforcement, media, legal advocacy and digital content creation to address the escalating threats faced by women and queer communities in online spaces.
Speakers highlighted how forms of online abuse — including stalking, trolling, impersonation, and the non-consensual sharing of personal images — are not isolated virtual incidents but deeply rooted in real-world gender inequalities and power imbalances. They underscored the need for systemic and collective responses rather than relying solely on technological solutions.
The panel comprised Amrita Dasgupta (Director, Swayam), Kaushik Gupta (Lawyer, Calcutta High Court), Shamayita Chakraborty (Journalist, Deutsche Welle), Agnijit Sen (RJ and Digital Content Creator), and Suvankar Chakraborty (OC, Cyber Cell & Monitoring Cell, South Division). The session was moderated by Anuradha Kapoor, Founder and Trust Board Member of Swayam.
During the discussion, panelists called for stronger preventive mechanisms, informed digital policies, and greater digital empathy. They emphasised responsible online behaviour, improved digital literacy, and institutional accountability as key components for ensuring safer online environments.
The programme also featured the screening of two short awareness films created by Swayam in collaboration with Ogilvy. Representatives from Ogilvy elaborated on the creative vision behind the films, aimed at fostering reflection, empathy and behavioural change to curb online harassment.
Reaffirming Swayam’s commitment to defending women’s rights, Anuradha Kapoor stressed the importance of ensuring that digital spaces evolve into platforms of empowerment rather than tools of control and abuse. The audience — including media professionals, students and civil society representatives — actively engaged in the conversation, signalling growing concern and urgency around the issue.
With this initiative, Swayam called for greater awareness, accountability and solidarity in combating all forms of gender-based violence, both online and offline, and reiterated its vision of a just and equal society.
For more details, visit: www.swayam.info
