Islamabad. In Pakistan, cases of violence against women creators active on TikTok and other digital platforms have sparked a serious debate on the safety of women on social media. After recent incidents, questions are being raised whether women who share their identity and views online are having to pay the price in the form of violence and threats. Women’s rights activists say that the problem is not limited to any one social media platform, but the gender inequality present in the society and the thinking of control over women is also a major reason behind it.
Issue raised again due to murder of Shamso Bibi
Recently, the case of murder of 28-year-old TikTok creator Shamso Bibi came to light. She was also known as Ayesha Gilmana in the online world. According to reports, he was murdered on 14 August. This incident has once again raised questions about the safety of women social media creators in Pakistan. It is being told that the accused considered his TikTok video objectionable. This case has intensified the debate on how a section of the society reacts to the presence of women on social media and their personal freedom.
Women rights activists expressed concern
According to women’s rights activist Farzana Bari, the problem is not just TikTok or any other digital platform. When women try to take decisions related to their lives or break away from the control of men, the risk of violence against them may increase. Kanwal Ahmed, associated with the online women’s community, also called it an issue related to broader social thinking. She says that women in Pakistan have to face fear and social pressure at many levels.
Online comments increase concern in Sana Yusuf case
After the murder of Sana Yusuf, the Digital Rights Foundation’s analysis revealed many comments on social media in which the accused was praised. Some people even tried to justify the murder by linking it to Sana’s use of social media. According to experts, this shows that the threat to women creators is not limited to the offline world only. They may also face trolling, threats and comments justifying violence on social media.
Qandeel Baloch’s murder was a big example
The most talked about case of violence against female social media creators in Pakistan has been that of Qandeel Baloch. He was murdered by his brother in the year 2016. This incident sparked an international debate on women’s freedom, their activities on social media and violence in the name of ‘honor’. Recent incidents have once again brought to the fore the question of how to ensure the safety of women who create their identity on digital platforms in Pakistan and how to protect online freedom from violence or social control.