Feminist advocacy movements are increasingly leveraging digital technologies to amplify their voices, challenge patriarchal systems, and build transnational solidarities. These movements navigate the complexities of online spaces, reclaiming digital platforms as tools for advocacy while addressing the structural inequalities of the digital realm.
Digital activism
Feminist movements in the Global South have strategically embraced digital activism to counter hegemonic narratives and create spaces for marginalised voices. Feminist Digital Justice, a collaborative initiative led by IT for Change and DAWN (Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era), for example, foregrounds the intersection of gender justice and emerging digital issues. This initiative critiques data extractivism, advocating for alternative governance models that prioritise women’s rights and equity. By reframing debates on digital policy from a Southern feminist perspective, these movements challenge the commodification of women’s data and labour in the global economy.
In Argentina, feminist activists have used hashtags like #NiUnaMenos (“Not One Less”) to mobilise against gender-based violence, transforming social media into a platform for collective action. Similarly, in China, feminist activists have used encrypted messaging apps to organise protests against workplace harassment, bypassing state censorship. These examples demonstrate how feminists in majority world contexts adapt digital tools to navigate oppressive systems while fostering solidarity and resistance.
Digital activism as resistance to patriarchy
Digital activism has allowed feminist movements to challenge patriarchal structures that dominate offline and online spaces. African feminists have used campaigns like #BringBackOurGirls to demand accountability for the kidnapping of schoolgirls by Boko Haram, highlighting how women’s bodies are often sites of violence in conflict zones. This campaign exemplifies how digital platforms can amplify local struggles while drawing global attention to systemic injustices.
In Zimbabwe, platforms such as Her Zimbabwe crowdsource opinions from young feminists, providing them with tools to articulate their concerns and connect with others who share similar struggles. These platforms not only broadcast usually marginalised voices but also foster resilience by building networks of support across borders.
Navigating challenges in digital activism
While digital activism has the power to transforma, it is not without challenges. Feminist movements face barriers such as online harassment, state surveillance, and unequal access to technology. For instance, women from rural areas often lack reliable internet access or digital literacy, limiting their participation in online advocacy. Moreover, corporate control over digital platforms raises concerns about censorship and data privacy.
To address these challenges, feminist movements advocate for inclusive policies that democratise access to technology and protect users from exploitation. The African Feminist Forum emphasises the importance of “meeting feminists at their point of need,” ensuring that digital tools are practical and accessible. This approach underscores the need for a composite framework that integrates social-economic rights with civil-political rights.
Building transnational solidarity
Digital activism has enabled feminist movements in the Global South to build transnational solidarity by connecting struggles across borders. Campaigns like #BertaCaceres honour the legacy of Honduran environmental activist Berta Cáceres while sparking conversations about corporate exploitation and Indigenous land rights. Such initiatives demonstrate how digital platforms can bridge local struggles with global movements for justice.
Feminist networks also foster new forms of consciousness through affective engagements online. By mobilising around shared lived experiences, feminist activists reconfigure traditional politics into more inclusive and empathetic practices. This reimagining of activism strengthens collective resilience and centres marginalised voices.
A call for feminist digital justice
Southern feminist movements are redefining digital activism as a tool for justice and liberation. Their efforts highlight the need to reclaim online spaces from corporate control while addressing structural inequalities that limit access and participation.
As we experience an increasingly digitised world, it is essential to support these movements by advocating for inclusive policies, raising marginalised voices, and forging transnational solidarities. Feminist digital activism is not just about resisting patriarchy. It is about envisioning a future where technology serves as a tool for equity and empowerment.
This piece was written for the April 2025 edition of Postscripts, Shamillah Wilson’s monthly round-up of what’s been happening in feminist circles, her work, and some recommended reading suggestions.
