MeitY, C-DAC and Reliance Foundation launch ‘e-SafeHER’ to train 1 million rural women in cybersecurity

C-DAC, Hyderabad, a scientific society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, and Reliance Foundation, on April 13 announced the launch of e-SafeHER, a Cyber Security Awareness Training program to enable one million women across rural India to safely and confidently participate in the digital ecosystem.

This initiative is anchored under MeitY’s Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) program through C-DAC Hyderabad, enabling content and training material for dissemination.

The Reliance Foundation will catalyze dissemination in rural communities across India, working in particular through women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

This initiative is another step forward to strengthen digital inclusion for women. e-SafeHER aims to strengthen last-mile cybersecurity awareness, particularly among women in rural India, who are increasingly engaging with digital platforms for financial transactions, livelihoods, and access to essential services.

The strategic collaboration between C-DAC, Hyderabad, and Reliance Foundation on cybersecurity awareness involves structured training and community-based interventions.

Speaking on the launch of the initiative, S Krishnan, Secretary MeitY, said, “In an era where the Government of India is pushing for capacity, collaboration, and resilience to ensure that we reach across the length and breadth of the country towards a Cyber Secure Bharat, e-SafeHER is an exciting opportunity where we will bring together the curriculum and knowledge of MeitY’s Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) program.”’

“Through C-DAC working together with the Reliance Foundation, this initiative will enable women from the remotest rural regions to be safe, seen, and empowered. We look forward to a model initiative that can be replicated and scaled up with like-minded partners across the country,” Krishnan added.

Sharing a message, Isha Ambani, Director, Reliance Foundation, said that rural women in India are coming online faster than ever and underlined their commitment to not only accelerating women’s digital inclusion but also equipping them with the knowledge and skills to stay safe.

“We are pleased to partner with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), GoI, and C-DAC to provide cybersecurity awareness training through 'e-SafeHER,' which aims to enable women to build skills and knowledge to stay safe online as they utilize the power of digital to strengthen their lives and livelihoods,” she said.

“Through this initiative we aim to empower one million Cyber Sakhis in rural India over the next three years, helping them build safe online practices so they embrace the digital world with confidence," she added.

C-DAC will lead the development, localization, and continuous enhancement of cybersecurity training content under the ISEA Project, including multilingual adaptation.

Reliance Foundation will leverage its grassroots presence and women’s empowerment platforms across rural India for delivery through a peer-led, community-based model.

In a phased approach, beginning with training of Cyber Sakhis across Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, the initiative will scale to one million women by 2029 through multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Designed for scale and sustainability, cybersecurity awareness is embedded into existing women’s empowerment and digital literacy programs, ensuring continuity without parallel infrastructure.

Localized content, audio-visual modules, and blended learning approaches will enhance accessibility and engagement. e-safeHER will drive measurable behavioral outcomes, including improved cyber risk awareness, increased confidence in digital transactions, and adoption of safe digital practices by participants.

Insights from implementation will contribute to evidence-based scale-up and policy integration across the country.

By combining MeitY’s national cybersecurity framework, C-DAC’s technical expertise, and Reliance Foundation’s community-driven delivery model, e-SafeHER seeks to ensure that women across rural India are not only digitally included but also digitally secure.