A Study of Hashtag Feminism in the Contemporary Digital Era
Author(s): Rashi Bharati
Authors Affiliations:
Research Scholar, Department of Political Science, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
DOIs:10.2015/IJIRMF/202505051     |     Paper ID: IJIRMF202505051Abstract: In recent years, the rise of digital activism has dramatically reshaped the landscape of feminist discourse. Among the most influential developments in this shift is the emergence of hashtag feminism—a phenomenon that blends activism, social commentary, and digital communication. Through case studies such as #MeToo, #YesAllWomen, #IWillGoOut, and #TimesUp, the paper examines how social media platforms have enabled grassroots mobilization, reshaped feminist discourse, and challenged mainstream narratives. By analyzing the rhetorical strategies, digital divide, participatory dynamics, and socio-political impact of these hashtags, the paper aims to assess both the strengths and limitations of feminist activism in the digital era. Ultimately, the study finds that while hashtag feminism is not a panacea for gender inequality, it is a powerful tool for visibility, solidarity, and social change in the contemporary era.
Rashi Bharati(2025); A Study of Hashtag Feminism in the Contemporary Digital Era, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, ISSN(O): 2455-0620, Vol-11, Issue-5, Pp.324-330. Available on – https://www.ijirmf.com/
- Mendes, Kaitlynn, et al. Digital Feminist Activism: Girls and Women Fight Back Against Rape Culture. Oxford University Press, 2019.
- Clark, Rosemary. “Hope in a Hashtag: The Discursive Activism of #WhyIStayed.” Feminist Media Studies, vol. 16, no. 5, 2016.
- Keller, Jessalynn, et al. “Hashtag Feminism: Activism or Slacktivism?” Participations, vol. 12, no. 1, 2015.
- Xie, Ying. “Social Media and the Transformation of Public Space in China: The Case of Feminist Activism.” Media, Culture & Society, vol. 43, no. 1, 2021.
- Görgülü, Berna & Çınar, Naim. (2023). Digital Activism and Hashtag Feminism.
- Harding, S. (2020). Digital feminism: The challenges of intersectional activism online. Feminist Theory
- Chesher, C., & McCauley, D. (2018). Digital Storytelling and the Transmedia Experience: A New Era of Narrative Practice. Journal of Media Studies
- Duggan, M. (2017). Online Dating & Relationships: A Guide for Safe Online Communities. Pew Research Center.
- Baker, S., & Bennett, A. (2017). Social Media, Gender, and Intersectionality: Feminist Activism in the Digital Age. Feminist Media Studies
- Shruti Jain, “The Rising Fourth Wave: Feminist Activism and Digital Platforms in India,” ORF Issue Brief No. 384, July 2020, Observer Research Foundation.
- Joute Josiane, “Digital feminism: Questioning the renewal of activism,” Journal of Research In Gender Studies, vol 8, no. 1 (April 2018): 133
- Radha Kumar, “Contemporary Indian Feminism,” Feminist Review 33, no.1 ( November 1989): 20-29.
- Rekha Pande, “The History of Feminism and Doing Gender in India,” Revista Estudos Feministas ( November 2018), 26(3)
- Kearl Holly, Virginia, “Facts Behind The #Metoo Movement: National Study On Sexual Harassment And Assault,” Stop Street Harassment 2018 Study, Accessed March 3 2020, http://www.stopstreetharassment.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Full-Report-2018 National-Study-on-Sexual-Harassment-and-Assault.pdf
- Sujatha Subramaniam, “From the Streets to the Web: Looking at Feminist Activism on Social Media,” The Economic and Political Weekly 50 (71) (2015).
- Kira Cochrane, “The Fourth Wave Of Feminism: Meet The Rebel Women,” The Guardian, December 10, 2013, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/10/fourth-wave feminism-rebel-women
- Gill, R., & Orgad, S. (2018). “The shifting terrain of sex and power: From the ‘sexualization of culture’ to #MeToo.” Sexualities, 21(8), 1313–1324, https://doi.org/10.1177/1363460718794647
- Fotopoulou, A. (2016) “Feminist activism and digital networks: Between empowerment and vulnerability.” Communications, 41(1), 95–115.
- Khoja-Moolji, S. (2015) “Becoming an ‘Intimate Publics’: Exploring the Affective Intensities of Hashtag Feminism.” Feminist Media Studies, 15(2), 347–350. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2015.1008740
- Schuster, J. (2013) “Institutionalizing activism: Exploring the rise of ‘Hashtag Feminism’.” New Media & Society, 17(4), 580–598.
- Burke, Tarana. Me Too Movement. https://metoomvmt.org. Accessed 24 May 2025.