Gender in the Digital Age: Digital Feminism, Empowerment & Cyber Harassment

Over the past decade, digital media has emerged as one of the most powerful tools for advancing gender equality and social justice in Pakistan. Social media platforms, online campaigns, blogs, podcasts, and digital communities have enabled women, transgender persons, and gender-diverse individuals to raise their voices on issues ranging from workplace discrimination and gender-based violence to bodily autonomy, identity, inclusion, and political participation.

Yet greater visibility has often come at a cost. Those who challenge prejudice or advocate for gender equality frequently face cyber harassment, misogynistic and transphobic abuse, threats, doxxing, hate campaigns, and coordinated online trolling designed to intimidate and silence them.

This panel discussion will explore both the promise and the perils of digital activism in Pakistan. Bringing together activists, researchers, legal experts, and human rights advocates, the session will examine how digital spaces are reshaping movements for gender justice, expanding opportunities for advocacy and community building, while also exposing persistent challenges related to online safety, freedom of expression, privacy, and digital rights.

About the Panelists:

• Waiza Rafique
  (Advocate, Author, Chevening Scholar, Global Peace Laureate, Human Rights Law & Policy Specialist)
• Faizi
  (Writer, Teacher, Transgender Rights Advocate)
• Ahsan Bodla
  (Feminist Activist, Author of “Main Feminist Kion Hoon”)
• Zoya Anwer
  (Independent Multimedia Journalist, Communications Expert)
• Amjad Nazeer
  (Anthropologist, Human Rights Activist — Moderator)

This session is free and open to all. Just visit the venue to attend it.

The Black Hole
Plot 5H, Street 100, G-11/3, Islamabad.
Click here for Google Maps Location