Paper Short Abstract:

This presentation explores online counter-mobilization against the Istanbul Convention, revealing misogynistic narratives, by delving into the digital realm to understand how social media fosters gender-based violence normalcy in Turkey.

Paper Abstract:

In our current epoch, characterized by intensified gender conflicts, the battlegrounds of direct violence have extended into both online and offline spheres. Notably, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have emerged as crucibles for a distinct form of counter mobilization, where attacks on gender and women's rights materialize through the development of misogynistic narratives.

This presentation investigates the landscape of online hate expressions and networked harassments directed at women, offering a nuanced understanding of the underlying dynamics and nature of misogyny. Specifically, the study zooms in on the online misogynistic narratives that surface as a counter movement surrounding the Istanbul Convention. By doing so, it seeks to underscore the conservative and polarizing discourses that normalize gender-based violence in Turkey within the digital realm.

By shedding light on this digital counter-mobilization, the research contributes to the overarching theme of the conference, which calls for a re-evaluation of place, culture, and their digital interconnections. Through this exploration, the aim is to illuminate how online spaces play a pivotal role in shaping and perpetuating attitudes towards women, bridging the gap between the virtual and physical dimensions of gender-based violence.