Serine Mohamed

Aleppo — Hate speech is a form of discourse that promotes contemptuous and discriminatory behavior based on ethnic, sectarian, or religious grounds. It marginalizes women, denying their presence and participation, and represents one of the most dangerous forms of violence against women — especially with the rise of social media platforms, which many people and teenagers exploit for negative purposes due to the lack of strict oversight.

Aml Ismail, spokesperson for the SARA Organization office in Aleppo, noted that with technological and digital advancements, attacks and incitement against women have increased, whether through hate speech or other provocative methods. These attacks target women’s roles, diminish their achievements, and cause severe psychological effects, limiting their abilities and creativity.

She highlighted that successful and active women in society are the most exposed to hate speech, often from patriarchal and extremist mindsets. “The goal of these discourses is to discourage women and undermine their self-confidence,” she said.

Ismail also pointed out the spread of religious extremism in Syrian society, particularly under the control of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, noting that some groups have enforced strict dress codes even on Christian women. She stressed, “A healthy society is guided by ethics and positive values, not by women’s clothing. We have inherited traditions from our ancestors, and we will preserve them.”

“Why not fight the use of women as commodities in advertisements?”

She emphasized the need to combat the use of women as commodities in commercial advertising, rather than focusing solely on their religious attire. According to her, the type of clothing a woman wears does not protect her; her ideas and upbringing from childhood are what truly safeguard her. “It is wrong to judge societies based on women’s clothing. For instance, in communities where women wear the niqab or conservative dress, harassment can still be high.”

She added, “In true Islam, actions performed without sincere belief and love are not rewarded. Extremist ideas only create chaos in society.”

Ismail stressed that government institutions must take the lead in combating hate speech in all its forms, alongside social organizations, because Syria is a mosaic of diverse components, religions, sects, and beliefs — a reality that cannot be changed.

“The Role of Awareness in Mitigating Hate Speech”

She emphasized the importance of awareness campaigns to reduce the negative impacts of hate speech on women. Social media can be leveraged to counteract hate speech rather than being used negatively.

“If segments of society remain stuck in outdated mindsets, the revolution has only resulted in chaos. In Eastern societies, rumors and negative talk — especially against women and their reputations — spread quickly. One of the harshest forms of violence against women is slander and the spread of rumors,” she explained. She added that this phenomenon spreads rapidly in society, requiring a community-driven and institutional approach to raise awareness.

In conclusion, Ismail urged all women capable of standing against hate speech: “Any woman facing this phenomenon must be fully aware of its negative effects and not allow it to obstruct her life or participation in all areas of society.