5. Communicating about GBVF in social media
GBVF 101
Communicating about GBVF in Social Media
Why is it important to consider communication in our efforts to address GBVF?
Consistent and clear messaging is central in our efforts to address GBVF and the long-term success of our collective response.
Communicators in every sector carry the responsibility to ensure that the content they create and disseminate does not inadvertently reinforce the attitudes, beliefs and behaviours that continue to drive the crisis.
We need to be careful not to discriminate, marginalise, incite or normalise violence behaviours when we communicate.
The way in which we communicate about GBVF has the potential to accelerate positive action and support. Good communication can also empower people with knowledge, skills and confidence to address GBVF matters within their own individual capacities. There are many channels that we use to communicate nowadays with social media being the most popular.
Objective
Be able to use social media to advocate for ending GBVF while minimising the risk of marginalising people, and / or normalising or inciting violence in any way.
Social media is a platform for a diversity of voices, it provides real-time interactions, high engagement rates and the potential for content to go viral. While social media has its benefits, it also brings about some aspects that we need to approach with sensitivity and mindfulness. Together we can build a safer world on- and offline.
Be extra mindful when posting social media content related to GBVF
Things to consider before you post...
- Is the content constructive and informed by evidence-based research that is free of bias opinions?
- Remember your voice and how powerful it is? Use your voice wisely, and avoid spreading unfounded, unconfirmed statements and misleading claims. Always double check facts.
- Could your post be offensive in any way? Have you carefully crafted the wording to be clear and unambiguous? Remember, once you have posted something, it is very difficult to delete it. Simply deleting a post does not mean that it will vanish.
- Does your post provide someone or a group of people with helpful, informative information that is empowering?
- Is your post free of language and wording that incites violence?
In your post...
- Do not use patriarchal, toxic masculine, or degrading tones when addressing followers and commentators.
- Be mindful. Respect others’ opinions and ideas even if they are different from your
- Avoid engaging in trolling or intimidating users.
- Do not share pictures of minors or survivors. Avoid showing images of childrens face This can be important for two reasons; first their safety, and secondly to support their sense of agency as they grow older and have a greater awareness of the impact of social media.
- Do not use discriminatory language.
- Do not post content that will harm reputation, target and humiliate others.
- Do not use stereotypes that are in the context of gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or another status.
- Post a warning before sharing photos or content that could be triggering for others.
Correctly naming GBV terms can empower survivors
Use the correct terms, for instance, defining an assault as the type it is, This creates a better understanding that different forms of violence exist. GBV can include the definitions of economic suppression, psychological abuse, cyberbullying, forced marriage, and femicide.
Share information in a way that empowers the survivor and does not put them at risk or make them vulnerable to discrimination by the public. It is illegal to use a survivor’s name, especially without consent.
Evolving from violent langauge
Without realising, we often used ‘everyday’ terms that imply a form of physical harm or violence in a literal sense. Although this may be seemingly subtle in the greater scheme of addressing GBVF, it is very important that we do not normalise this language as this can go on to normalise something that is considered to be worse or more harmful. For example, a locker room joke may lead to bullying. Another common example is “Boys will be boys”. What is the problem with this statement?
If we really consider what this implies, we can see that it perpetuates negative ideas about boys and how they express themselves through destructive behaviour. It implies that boys are wired to be destructive and violent, and we should accept that.
In our effort to address GBVF, especially through talking about toxic masculinity, we know that boys are not wired like this. We know that there are healthy forms of expression and we can encourage this through the language that we use.
More information
Article – “The power of social media can change actions driving gender-based violence” By Jody van der Heyde and Sinenhlanhla Bengu (July 2022) Institute for Security Studies