Digital sisterhood: A safe and empowering haven for women

These digital communities can be used by organisations, NGOs and government to transform the lives of countless women

In this globalised and technologically revolutionised world, social media has become an integral part of human lives, and Pakistan is no exception. Social mediums like Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, and many others are continuously changing the ways people used to communicate, express themselves and share information. New concepts of virtual sisterhood and brotherhood, virtual meetups, and online forums and communities are thriving. One remarkable example of this phenomenon is the ever-expanding, women-centred Facebook groups in Pakistan, such as Soul Sisters Pakistan, The Pakistani Sisters, and Women Circle, to name a few.

Consisting of women from all strata of Pakistan, and overseas, these virtual communities empower girls and women in various facets of life. They provide a platform for sharing a wide range of experiences – from delicious recipes to exploring one’s passion for cooking; from finding cheap marketplaces to shop inexpensive pampers to respectful, responsible parenting; from sharing cute, romantic experiences to the life lessons of happily married women for decades; from a first slight push to the wife by his so-called partner to the physical, psychological and social abuse; from ranting on trivial day-to-day issues to trauma suffered by women due to any incident in life; every issue is touched upon in these communities.

Bruised souls find solace, and young girls get the strength to break free from manipulative, narcissistic partners or potential partners and in-laws. These digital communities offer multifaceted opportunities to females as individuals, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the government of Pakistan to collaborate in order to transform the lives of countless women across the country. This piece of writing will shed light on strategies that these organisations can use as valuable tools to alleviate women’s problems.

In women-focused digital communities, a well-coordinated multidisciplinary team of women professionals (such as a police officer, a psychologist, a gynaecologist, a lawyer, a media person, and an Islamic scholar) can be established to provide support and expert guidance to women in their daily lives. For instance, many women seem confused about religious commandments, such as those related to divorce, Iddat (the period of waiting after the divorce or death of the husband), inheritance, and dowry, which can easily be clarified by a female Islamic scholar. Likewise, women usually have questions on sensitive topics like abortion and marital rape, and often require assistance in dealing with official or street harassment, filing a First Information Report (FIR) at the micro-level and navigating the legal system at the macro level, which can be provided more effectively by a lawyer or police officer.

Violence against women has always been underreported in the media and official documents. By availing the privilege of anonymous posts, women share the intricate realities of their lives filled with violence, betrayal, and manipulation, which can surely contribute to the official database of women’s violence and later help policymakers to make relevant policies. Moreover, more women should be encouraged to report violence or discrimination committed against them, and the already-mentioned team should promptly respond to the emergencies, if any, and should also be professionally trained to use their resources to provide quick support to the survivors.

All the laws about women abuse, whether it is domestic violence, acid violence, or harassment at workplaces, should be shared and discussed in the groups in all the languages spoken in Pakistan so that women can have a deep insight into the protections they have and how they can attain those protections in case of any mishap(s). Additionally, discussion and dialogue can also bring forth lacunae in existing laws and strategies to eliminate them.

A lot of women in Pakistan continue to suffer violence inside the four walls of their homes because of the unavailability of shelter or the dearth of resources to have shelter. So, a list of the women’s shelter homes should be shared in these online spaces, with all the details: eligibility criteria, facilities, admission procedure, availability of space, along with reviews, so that no female tolerate violence just because of the unavailability of the roof.

In the initial days of separation or divorce, single mothers in these digital spaces usually require temporary financial support. They are often in search of non-governmental organisations which can assist them without compromising their self-respect (as many NGOs ask for mother and children’s pictures to share on their websites). Therefore, the availability of a database consisting of the details of such NGOs can provide significant relief to divorced and single women.

Women in the virtual communities are always confused about contraceptive methods. The concerned government and semi-government organisations can optimally leverage these spaces for the dissemination of the right information. This will positively contribute to women's health directly and will help in controlling the population, which has become an existential threat to Pakistan.

Women’s experiences are subjective, and so are their needs and aspirations. In this context, online women-focused communities provide a conducive environment for having a dialogue with a large number of diverse female audiences about prospective initiatives, policies, and legislation, as well as the current ones, which can help the concerned departments best assess the effectiveness of the steps taken and those yet to be taken for women’s welfare.

These spaces can also be utilised for building connections between passionate, innovative women and potential employers and mentors. However, one key principle that must be strictly abided by is that “all these services must be offered free of charge” so that those women who do not have capital but passion can also materialise their dreams.

Equipping women with the knowledge and skills to navigate the virtual world confidently is the need of the hour. Most of the ladies in these online communities are often on the verge of suicide or self-harm just because of blackmailing, cyberbullying, sextortion etc. So, the presence of a resource person from the specialised cybercrime reporting centres established by Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to facilitate the victims of cybercrimes in women-centred online communities would provide a ray of hope to victims.

To sum up, the technology-driven social media revolution has fundamentally transformed conventional modes of communication. Online meetings are supplanting physical gatherings, and virtual relationships are gaining strength and importance over physical ones. Women-centred digital communities serve as a testament to this evolving paradigm. These communities have created a safe and welcoming space where women can share their knowledge and experiences, no matter where they come from. This diversity is a fantastic opportunity for government and non-government organisations to use these platforms to address a wide range of issues affecting women. A multi-faceted strategy can be developed to efficiently harness these platforms for women's welfare initiatives. For instance, having female professionals from various fields such as business, psychology, cybersecurity, media, Islamic scholarship, gynaecology, and law and their active involvement can significantly enhance the lives of women.