Amplifying Women's Voices:
How Social Media Can Help and Hinder Feminist Activism
Here at Feminist Inc, we rely heavily on social media for our activism and sense of community.
Which is why I thought it would be a great idea to write about the role of social media in amplifying women’s voices and gender-based issues.
Social media is a very powerful tool and can be a valuable asset in the arsenal of any feminist activist.
Women’s voices and gender-based issues have been drowned out for so long by the noise of the patriarchy, which is why it is crucial that we begin to listen to women again. And what better way to listen to women than via social media?
Social media is a platform where we can hear the truth from the horse’s mouth, i.e., women. After all, many men are always so quick to tell women what is good for them and what they should be doing.
Therefore, although social media has its drawbacks, women and feminist activists can still utilize it to discuss important issues that concern us.
Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and many more have gained significant influence over the years and have been used to further many causes.
For example, videos of the SARS squad beating up young men and brutalizing them over trivial matters quickly went viral and sparked nationwide outrage, leading to protests all over the country.
A lot of non-Nigerian celebrities showed their solidarity with Nigeria's plight through social media, and those who could not protest physically used social media to spread the word.
Similarly, when the earthquake that ravished some parts of Turkey and other countries occurred, social media was used to raise awareness and raise funds to help the injured and displaced.
All of these examples demonstrate that social media can be extremely powerful. If social media can be used to raise funds for displaced people, it can also be used to fight for women's rights.
However, social media does have some downsides.
According to a report presented by the UN Special Rapporteur on protecting freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan, "gender-based violence, hate speech, and disinformation are being used extensively online and offline to chill or kill women’s freedom of expression."
Women only make up 24% of the persons heard, read about, or seen in newspaper, television, and radio news.
Therefore, as much as social media can be used for good and to amplify people's voices, it can also be used for bad.
Because I follow many feminist creators on social media, I sometimes forget that women's voices are still grossly underrepresented.
Regarding representation in media, only 6% of news stories highlight issues of gender equality or inequality.
Women only make up 24% of the persons heard, read about, or seen in newspaper, television, and radio news.
This means that we need to do more about women's issues on social media. We need to be more vocal and loud. Let women's rights and feminism be on people's minds.
Let people know that there is still a long way to go before we achieve gender equality.
Some people and organizations already use social media to advance the feminist cause. For example, @shethpeopletv on Instagram educates us about feminism and women's issues.
We have @feminist on Instagram, which uses their platform to raise money for feminist causes and raise awareness of women's issues and human rights.
And, of course, we have
(duh!). You all know what we're about.These are just a few examples of women and women-centered organizations that use social media to let their voices be heard.
However, it's not easy being an activist, let alone a feminist activist, because the number of people who hate or have been taught to hate women is astounding.
If you're a woman who refuses to be complacent in her oppression, the haters and mysioginists will come for you with full force.
A lot of men seem to think women are easy targets and so they make comments like “no man will date you” or “you'll die single”. Or all manner of sexist bullshit.
I know these comments hurt-at least they hurt me-but we mustn't let that stop us.
We must remember that any comment anyone makes is merely a reflection of their own insecurities and fears. It has absolutely nothing to do with us.
In conclusion, social media has revolutionized the way we communicate and share information. It has given a platform for marginalized voices, including women and feminist activists, to be heard and amplified.
However, the same platforms can also be used to perpetuate gender-based violence, hate speech and disinformation. It is important for feminist activists to use social media strategically to advance their cause and raise awareness on gender issues.
While the hate and misogyny directed towards feminist activists can be discouraging, it is important to remember that it is a reflection of the oppressor's insecurity and fear. By continuing to use social media to speak out on gender inequality and amplify women's voices, we can move closer towards gender equality.
Overall, social media is a double-edged sword that requires careful navigation. Feminist activists must be aware of its pitfalls and harness its power to further their cause.
In the end, we must remember that the struggle for gender equality is a marathon and not a sprint. The progress we make today may not be visible tomorrow, but it is crucial to keep pushing forward. We must continue to use social media to amplify the voices of women and other marginalized groups, and to advocate for a world where everyone can thrive regardless of their gender.