Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, You Tube and others are used by hundreds of millions of people around the world to debate, network and share information with each other.
With the recent case of Shubham Mishra and his video threatening a woman with rape, it is time to move the discussion around how unsafe the online spaces are for women across the globe.
Most online spaces have become platforms where violence and abuse against them flourishes, often with little accountability. Most of these platforms are failing in their responsibility to respect women’s rights online by inadequately investigating and responding to reports of violence and abuse in a transparent manner.
The violence and abuse many women experience online has a detrimental effect on their right to express themselves equally, freely and without fear. Instead of strengthening women’s voices, the violence and abuse many women experience on the platform leads women to self-censor what they post, limit their interactions, and even drives women off line completely.
While we feel that the online space is empowering it is important to understand that the gender difference and the increasing danger that will make the world a violent space towards women and their voices.
Author:
Preeti Das, Additional Director, Unitedworld School of Liberal Arts and Mass Communication (USLM)
Disclaimer: The opinions / views expressed in this article are solely of the author in his / her individual capacity. They do not purport to reflect the opinions and/or views of the College and/or University or its members.
