Paper/Proposal Title
Social Media Activism: Reshaping Human Rights Discourse in Africa
Location
M2380
Start Date
November 2023
End Date
November 2023
Keywords
Africa, social media, human rights, equality
Abstract
In the 21st century, social media has emerged as a powerful tool for championing human rights in Africa, providing a platform for education, protest, awareness creation, and information dissemination. By transcending geographical boundaries and physical limitations, social media enables Africans to promote human rights agendas and engage in discourse on a global scale. This paper examines the transformative impact of social media on African human rights discourse. It begins by exploring the pivotal role of social media in disseminating information and raising awareness about human rights issues. It emphasizes how social media facilitates the reach of a wider audience, enabling the sharing of personal stories, experiences, and mobilization around issues of injustice and inequality. Moreover, social media platforms have played a vital role in connecting African activists, fostering solidarity networks, and supporting human rights causes.
Also, this paper investigates the dynamic modalities of human rights activism present on social media, such as the use of hashtags, engagement with relevant partners (both individuals and organizations), posting of informative materials (including pictures, memes, and videos), and the vocal "Cancel Culture" that challenges oppressive systems, raises awareness of human rights issues, and mobilizes people to act. However, this paper acknowledges the potential risks and drawbacks associated with its use by examining these negative implications to provide a balanced perspective.
The paper raises critical questions: To what extent has social media contributed to reimagining human rights activism in Africa? What new modalities are inherent in social media that promote human rights? To what extent has social media advanced the cause of human rights in Africa? By shedding light on the multifaceted role of social media in reshaping African human rights discourse, this paper contributes to a better understanding of the potential and relevance of social media.
Author/Speaker Biographical Statement(s)
Oyinade Adekunle is a doctoral student in the Department of History at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. Her research interests include African History, Legal History, Human Rights, and Crime. She is passionate about studying the impact of historical events on contemporary legal systems, as well as exploring issues of social justice and human rights in Africa. Oyinade holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) and a Master of Arts (Hons.) in History and Strategic Studies from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Alongside her studies, Oyinade is actively engaged in academic and professional activities. She works as a Research Assistant for the Human Rights Cluster at Participedia. She is also involved in the Confronting Atrocity Project at the Centre for Human Rights and Restorative Justice (CHRRJ). Oyinade has presented her research at various conferences and seminars, focusing on topics such as the impact of collateral damage on human rights in Africa, protests in post-colonial Lagos, and comparative analysis of colonial policing, prison systems and crime in Nigeria and Canada. She has also published articles in academic journals and participated in voluntary activities promoting equality, justice, and sustainable development.
Social Media Activism: Reshaping Human Rights Discourse in Africa
M2380
In the 21st century, social media has emerged as a powerful tool for championing human rights in Africa, providing a platform for education, protest, awareness creation, and information dissemination. By transcending geographical boundaries and physical limitations, social media enables Africans to promote human rights agendas and engage in discourse on a global scale. This paper examines the transformative impact of social media on African human rights discourse. It begins by exploring the pivotal role of social media in disseminating information and raising awareness about human rights issues. It emphasizes how social media facilitates the reach of a wider audience, enabling the sharing of personal stories, experiences, and mobilization around issues of injustice and inequality. Moreover, social media platforms have played a vital role in connecting African activists, fostering solidarity networks, and supporting human rights causes.
Also, this paper investigates the dynamic modalities of human rights activism present on social media, such as the use of hashtags, engagement with relevant partners (both individuals and organizations), posting of informative materials (including pictures, memes, and videos), and the vocal "Cancel Culture" that challenges oppressive systems, raises awareness of human rights issues, and mobilizes people to act. However, this paper acknowledges the potential risks and drawbacks associated with its use by examining these negative implications to provide a balanced perspective.
The paper raises critical questions: To what extent has social media contributed to reimagining human rights activism in Africa? What new modalities are inherent in social media that promote human rights? To what extent has social media advanced the cause of human rights in Africa? By shedding light on the multifaceted role of social media in reshaping African human rights discourse, this paper contributes to a better understanding of the potential and relevance of social media.
