ITSEC Asia partners with UN to tackle online gender-based violence in Indonesia

Indonesia-listed cybersecurity company ITSEC Asia has partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to launch SHECURE Digital, a national initiative aimed at protecting women and children from rising risks in digital spaces, including online harassment, data misuse and non-consensual content distribution.

Unveiled in Jakarta, the programme arrives against a stark backdrop. Nearly two out of three women worldwide have experienced digital violence. In Indonesia, around 7.2 million women have experienced digital violence by non-partners at some point in their lives, according to the 2024 National Survey on Women’s Life Experiences. Women aged 15 to 24 are the most affected demographic in digital spaces.

SHECURE Digital integrates digital self-protection education, privacy-based technological safeguards and data-driven advocacy to prevent and address online gender-based violence and digital exploitation. The initiative responds to rising risks ranging from harassment and personal data misuse to digital extortion and the non-consensual distribution of intimate content.

Don't miss: Indonesia officially blocks Grok as AI deepfake scrutiny intensifies across markets

A three-pronged approach to digital safety

Patrick Dannacher, president director of ITSEC Asia, said the programme was designed around lived realities rather than abstract threats.

“Many women face digital risks without ever labelling them as violence because they are seen as part of everyday online life. We designed SHECURE Digital to bridge this gap through an approach that is practical, relevant, and applicable to daily situations. This is our contribution to strengthening the national agenda for the protection of women and children in the digital era,” said Dannacher.

Hassan Mohtashami, UNFPA Representative in Indonesia, framed the initiative as a model for collaborative action. “Digital violence has real impacts on the mental health, social well-being, and future of women and children. SHECURE Digital demonstrates how collaboration between the private sector, development partners, and government can strengthen sustainable and people centered protection,” said Mohtashami.

The programme is built on three pillars spanning prevention, protection and empowerment. SHECURE CLASS focuses on education and digital self-defence literacy for women and adolescents, equipping them with practical knowledge on privacy management, account security, personal data protection and safe responses to threats such as harassment and fraud.

Complementing this is SHECURE SHIELD, which delivers technical protection through a privacy-first approach, enabling users to retain control over their data and digital activities without excessive surveillance. The third pillar, SHECURE VOICES, advances advocacy and community engagement via awareness campaigns, dialogue platforms and the amplification of women’s and youth voices, with the aim of fostering a safer and more supportive digital culture.

Aligning with national policy

The launch was attended by Arifah Choiri Fauzi, Indonesia’s minister of women’s empowerment and child protection. In her keynote address, she stressed that Indonesia’s response must be evidence-based and structurally reinforced.

“Data shows us the scale and urgency of violence against women, including in digital spaces. In 2024 alone, an estimated 23.3 million women experienced physical, sexual, or psychological violence, and 7.5% of Indonesian women have faced harassment online. This is not a virtual issue with virtual consequences. The impact is real, and so must be our response,” she stated. 

Minister Fauzi noted that Indonesia has strengthened its legal and policy foundation through the enactment of the Law on the Crime of Sexual Violence, the integration of cyber safety into the 2025–2029 National Mid-Term Development Plan, Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025, and the Roadmap for Child Protection in the Online Environment 2025–2029.

“Regulation alone is not enough. Protection must function in the same spaces where violence occurs. Through SHECURE Digital, we are embedding protection directly into Indonesia’s digital ecosystem through collaboration with UNFPA and ITSEC Asia. Our responsibility is clear: to ensure that women and girls can participate in the digital future with confidence, dignity, and full protection of their rights,” she added.

The message is equally pointed: brand growth in Southeast Asia’s largest digital economy must be matched by responsible ecosystem design.

IntelliBroń Aman: privacy-first tech in practice

As part of the SHECURE SHIELD pillar, the programme is supported by IntelliBroń Aman, a digital security solution developed by ITSEC Asia. The tool detects potential threats such as fraud attempts, malicious links, risky applications and suspicious activity that may compromise user data and privacy.

Powered by threat analysis and AI, IntelliBroń Aman provides layered protection while avoiding the collection or exploitation of personal data. Users receive clear, accessible notifications that enable informed decision-making, reinforcing the programme’s emphasis on autonomy and dignity.

By positioning technology as proactive protection rather than surveillance, SHECURE Digital reflects a broader shift in how cybersecurity, public policy and social impact can converge.

The initiative signals a growing expectation: safety, privacy and gender-sensitive design are no longer peripheral concerns, but central to sustainable digital growth.

Related articles:
X pledges safeguards in response to Grok safety concerns, says Fahmi
J&T Express champions digital caution with 3C anti-fraud initiative
Google, YouTube train 2,500 Jakarta counsellors to bolster digital wellbeing