Once again, it is women who are targeted in cyberspace

This picture has been used for representational purpose

Going beyond the religious factor, though not invalidating it at all, behind the reprehensible Bulli Bai app, which featured Muslim women up for auction, just like the Sulli Deals some months ago, is the fact that it is women who are once again targeted in cyberspace.

The cyber world has become the favourite hunting and haunting ground for women, who are subjected to the worst violence here. Violence is not just physical, it can also be verbal. In the world that we now inhabit more and more, online has become a substitute for verbal abuse.

While in both cases, Sulli Deals and Bulli Bai, a religion was targeted through its women, it also hammers home the point that women are viciously trolled in cyber space or the digital world. Women who are visible, have an opinion and dare to express it, who somehow go against the ‘grain' or ‘convention' are viciously slammed. That does not mean though that the other women are spared.

It is the easiest and most cowardly way to hit. The Internet offers you anonymity and in that way, less accountability. In all, it emboldens and the attacks keep occurring with greater impunity.

Sometimes, a woman is humiliated for her appearance. Then, it is her way of dress. Many times, it is her size. Caste, religion and beliefs, opinions are also part of the mix, but we must point out that simply being a woman and daring to say something, anything at all, are enough to invite all kinds of abuse.

This is the physical world manifesting itself online. A deeply misogynistic, sexist society where violence against women is deeply entrenched, moved from one sphere to another. That is why it is important that we remember and act on bullying and terrifying escalation both in the real world and in cyberspace.