Thiruvananthapuram: The Keralam government is aiming to bring in a special Act to prevent insults and attacks against women on social media by examining the various legal aspects of such a potential legislation, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said here on Monday.
He said the idea was to introduce a special law as existing legislation offered very little protection against such attacks on social media, following a Supreme Court verdict.
"The government is thinking of sending those who attack women on social media to prison by bringing in a special Act," Satheesan said while inaugurating 'Makalkoppam', a two-day seminar organised by the Women and Child Development Department to formulate a women's policy after discussions with various stakeholders.
Satheesan said women were most often insulted and attacked on social media, with ordinary women being the primary targets.
He said the government's aim was to ensure that no woman was attacked or insulted on social media.
Satheesan also said that chief ministers, ministers, MLAs and other political leaders knew how to defend themselves against attacks on social media.
"But what can an ordinary woman, who does not know how to defend herself against such attacks, do? It is for them that we are planning this special Act," Satheesan said.
He said the government was also working to ensure the financial independence of women and that several projects were in the pipeline.
A major project to ensure the financial independence of every Kudumbashree member would be launched soon, he said.
"It is not a project designed for the entire state. Each area will have projects exclusively designed for that region," Satheesan said.
He said the 'Makalkoppam' initiative could lead to the formulation of a women's policy that would become a model for the entire country.
"Usually, governments formulate a policy and ask others to follow it. Here, we are seeking suggestions and opinions from all stakeholders, and the policy will be formulated by you. I assure you that the government will implement this policy with strong commitment," Satheesan said.