Sexism in digital discourses of women

Abstract

The chapter points to implicit sexist codes in digital discourses inadvertently produced by women while supporting cyberactivist movements. Drawing on research on feminism and guidelines in Social Media Critical Discourse Studies, the chapter concentrates on the discursive practices of both Turkish and global cyberactivist movements. It tries to show the roots of micro-power produced by users in the context of cultural differences by comparing two campaigns. #MeToo and #SenDeAnlat hashtags have been chosen and analysed by CDS, considering the impact of a digital interface. The analysis includes using sexist language, e.g., degrading words for the female body; reproduction of traditional unequal social roles, e.g., men as protectors and punishers; victim-perpetrator reversal, e.g., victim-blaming through their physical appearance, dress code, and drinking; and developing strategies for adaptation to a sexist order in public spaces.