Ra'idat: Promoting Women's Leadership in Libya
Each year Ra'idat will look to train 30 young women in a year-long programme to build their skills and knowledge, and mentor them with older activists from across the country.
Background
Youth can and are making a positive contribution to the future of Libya.
They are unfortunately at the center of the protracted crises - some are complicit in perpetuating violence on the front lines of the conflict and many of those are most critically impacted by it.
Even those not complicit in violence face barriers and restrictions to engaging in politics and society.
Obstacles
- Young women's voices are often dismissed or not included in discussions in any political, social, and reconciliation process. They lack the skills to communicate and advocate on issues succinctly and successfully, and have a few ways to contribute to the national conversation, and to get their voices heard by Libyan decision-makers
- The lack of political representation for women at all levels of government and the low level of women's representation and participation in civic bodies is mainly due to: a) the threat of violence against public female figures who threaten male-dominated power structures, b) women who decide to run for office are perceived as being less qualified and experienced than male candidates, c) Libyan women often do not see clear mechanisms to enter into politics.
Defining and Analyzing Hate Speech
Thinking About Hate Speech
- When we hear hate speech, we first think of the emotion of hate
- We also think about speech, or spoken words. But can you name other forms of hate speech?
- Hate speech generally is against groups with immutable qualities - This includes nationality, religion, ethnicity, gender, age bracket, disability, or sexual orientation
UN Definition
"Any kind of communication in speech, writing, or behaviour, that attacks or uses pejorative or disciminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are, in other words, based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender, or other identity factor"
Social Media's Harms
- Arab Spring turns to winter
- Rise of extremists - Radicalize, recruit, and organize
- Return of autocrats who use tech to suppress
- Tech darlings become the villians
Typologies and Intensity of Hate Speech
Important Contexual Factors
- Hate speech always operates in political context; understanding these is critical to understanding and addressing potential harms
- Who says it - Leaders and cultural influencers matter more
- Who hears it - The audience matters
- The medium - different media is important at different times
Legal Constraints
- Number of international treaties address hate speech
- Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (UN): "Any advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence shall be prohibited by law"
- However, national laws matter most; That is where it is enforced
- Each society negotiates balance between hate and free speech
Responses to Hate Speech Outside the Law
- Platform policies and content moderation: Removal, warnings/labeling, permissions, and limiting amplification
- Significant differences between platforms means inconsistent enforcement in different countries and languages
- Other non-legal responses: Social pressure campaigns, advertiser boycotts, and research findings all impact moderation
Examples of Hate Speech
- "It is almost time for us to cut down the tall trees" - RTLM radio statement refers to killing Tutsis
- "Illegal immigrant mass murder suspect captured, was deported five times..." - Fox News headline
- "May the terrorist dog kalars fall fast and die horrible deaths" - Facebook post about Rohingya before 2017 genocide
- "Kung flu" and "Chinese virus" - References to COVID-19 virus
Countering Hate Speech: Lessons from Research on Persuasion and Media Effects
- Reframing Negative Collective Stereotypes
- Identify Inconsistencies to Reduce Collective Blame
- Use Credible Sources
- Tone and Understanding Matters
- Work to Change Online Norms
- Winning Over Susceptible Audiences
