The Shadow of Lies: How Misinformation Disproportionately Harms Women in India
The Global Risks Report 2024 identifies misinformation and disinformation as the most significant threat facing nations. Ironically, the internet, once hailed as a democratizing force, now serves as the primary vector for these insidious forms of manipulation. While the implications of mis/disinformation for electoral politics are widely discussed, the profound impact on women, particularly in rural and semi-urban India, remains largely unexplored. This article delves into the lived experiences of women grappling with the pervasive nature of online falsehoods, examining how ingrained gender inequalities exacerbate the harm they face.
Across India, women like Moti Dewangan, a digital literacy trainer in Chhattisgarh, witness the real-world consequences of misinformation. From elderly women tricked by family pranks to laborers panicked by false rumors about government schemes, the spread of misinformation disrupts lives and erodes trust. While the motivations behind such deceptions remain often unclear, their potential for financial exploitation and emotional distress is undeniable. Moti points to the difficulty in discerning the intent behind fake news, which can range from harmless jokes to malicious schemes involving robbery and extortion.
The impact of misinformation, however, is not gender-neutral. While men fall victim to scams and rumors, the consequences for women are often more severe due to pre-existing societal biases. The digital gender divide and lower levels of digital literacy leave women more vulnerable to online deception. Moreover, when women are duped, they often face victim-blaming and even violence from family members. Their access to mobile phones, a crucial lifeline in the digital age, may be restricted, reinforcing stereotypes about women’s inability to handle technology or finances. The 2024 Mobile Gender Gap Report highlights the precarious nature of women’s digital access in India, with gains in mobile internet usage reversed in recent years, pushing women back into the digital shadows.
This vulnerability is compounded by the fact that some misinformation campaigns specifically target women. Nisha, a beauty parlor owner in Delhi, describes how her customers were lured by fake Flipkart deals on kitchen utensils, exploiting their desire to save money. Similarly, work-from-home scams prey on married women seeking employment opportunities within the confines of societal expectations. Premlata Verma, a digital literacy trainer, details how one woman lost her savings to a seemingly innocuous Instagram job posting, highlighting the insidious nature of these targeted attacks. The manipulation extends beyond financial scams, encompassing online harassment tactics like account hacking, photo misuse, and blackmail, all disproportionately affecting women and girls.
For marginalized communities, the challenges are even more acute. Jayanti Buruda, a prominent Adivasi journalist, explains how dominant groups have historically withheld information from tribal women. While mobile internet access offers a gateway to government services, the fear of misinformation creates a significant barrier. Even seemingly innocuous social media posts can perpetuate harmful stereotypes, impacting communities newly exposed to the online world. Without adequate fact-checking mechanisms or trusted sources of information, Adivasi women are left particularly vulnerable to deception.
The spread of misinformation exacerbates existing societal biases related to women’s health and bodies. Age-old menstrual taboos find new life online, reinforcing harmful practices and beliefs. Misinformation about vaccination and other critical health issues, exemplified by false claims about COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, further jeopardizes women’s well-being. The amplification of these harmful narratives through social media underscores the urgent need for accurate and accessible health information for women.
Misinformation also serves as a potent tool for political agendas. Hindutva organizations utilize distorted narratives to undermine feminist movements, falsely portraying ancient India as a bastion of gender equality. Attempts to deny historical realities like the Sati Pratha through misinterpretations of ancient texts further demonstrate the manipulation of information for ideological purposes. Men’s rights activists contribute to this disinformation ecosystem by exaggerating claims of false rape accusations, furthering a climate of distrust and undermining women’s access to justice.
The Shaheen Bagh protests, a landmark movement led by Muslim women, became a focal point for targeted disinformation campaigns. False narratives about condoms, pregnancies, and drug dealing circulated widely online, aiming to discredit the protesters and undermine their message. Similarly, Rhea Chakraborty, in the aftermath of actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, became the target of a relentless online smear campaign, fueled by misogynistic tropes and unfounded accusations. These cases highlight how misinformation can be weaponized to silence dissenting voices, particularly those of women challenging established power structures.
This weaponization extends to online harassment and trolling of women with strong political opinions. Journalists like Rana Ayyub have faced orchestrated campaigns of abuse, including death threats, doxxing, and the creation of deepfake pornographic content. The writer herself has been targeted by fabricated screenshots and doctored tweets, underscoring the pervasive nature of this form of online violence. These attacks aim to intimidate and silence women who dare to speak out against dominant ideologies.
The LGBTQ+ community is also disproportionately affected by misinformation. The withdrawal of the NCERT’s trans-inclusive manual following complaints from an RSS leader exemplifies how misinformation can be used to block progress on LGBTQ+ rights. During the Supreme Court’s marriage equality hearings, government lawyers spread misinformation about the limited scope of support for marriage equality, highlighting how even legal proceedings can be influenced by false narratives. The lack of accurate information about queer lives contributes to negative stereotypes and fuels prejudice, leading to real-world consequences, including violence and discrimination. Transgender individuals, especially those from marginalized communities, are particularly vulnerable, facing threats of violence fueled by false rumors and harmful stereotypes.
While policymakers have been slow to address the issue of gendered misinformation, civil society organizations are stepping up to fill the gap. The Digital Empowerment Foundation’s training programs equip rural women with the skills to combat fake news. Point of View, a feminist organization, is developing gamified learning methods to counter narrative-based misinformation. Transnational collaborations between organizations like Meedan, the Digital Rights Foundation, and Indian media outlets are working to define and document gendered disinformation, providing a framework for future action.
Combatting gendered misinformation requires a multi-pronged approach. Fact-checking and digital literacy training are crucial, but deeper societal changes are also needed to address the underlying patriarchal attitudes that enable the spread of harmful narratives. Bridging the digital gender gap and empowering women’s participation in the online space is essential to creating a safer and more equitable digital environment. The onus is on all stakeholders – governments, civil society organizations, and individuals – to actively challenge misinformation, promote media literacy, and support women’s voices in the digital sphere.