‘Women’s opinions on social media face huge backlash’

Thiruvananthapuram: Women, who voice their opinions on social media, face resistance a thousand times greater than what they face from their families and communities observed the seminar on "Women in Social Media".
The seminar is held as part of national women in media conclave organized by the information and public relations department. The seminar noted that social media reflects societal divisions and that only by challenging the male-dominated societal consciousness can social media be purified. There was also a call for govt to take faster action on complaints of cyberattacks.
Writer Meena Kandasamy said that organized rape threats and troll armies against expressions on social media have a corporate nature. "This shouldn't be seen as a display of masculinity. However, it should be seen who is controlling social media," she said. She described social media as a real battlefield.
State women's commission chairperson P Sathidevi pointed out that repealing Section 66A of IT Act is being misunderstood as a right to say anything. "Opinions that even affect the dignity of others are emerging. If Section 66A was retained with amendments, it could have provided control against online attacks," she said.
Manila C Mohan, editor of Truecopy, noted that social media, initially considered democratic spaces, are becoming hostile environments with the advent of organized attacks. Women in politics have support from sympathizers when facing social media attacks, but female journalists often lack such support and must fight alone.
Noted journalist Rana Ayyub emphasized the need for more female journalists to take up investigative journalism and for media professionals to consistently stand up for marginalized communities. She was speaking during a chat session at the conclave.