How Social Media Misuses Religion to Undermine Women’s Rights

Introduction

In the age of digital media, information spreads faster than ever — but so does disinformation. A recent study published in SAGE Open explores how social media in Pakistan is being used not only as a communication tool but also as a weapon to misinterpret Islamic teachings about women’s rights. These distortions, often wrapped in humor through memes and viral posts, are fueling patriarchal narratives and weakening feminist activism in a society already shaped by conservative ideologies.

The Core Argument: Religion, Patriarchy, and Disinformation

The research argues that social media has become a battleground for defining what Islam says about gender. Instead of promoting equality and justice — key tenets of Islamic teachings — many online narratives are selectively interpreting religious texts to reinforce male dominance.

These posts and memes create what the authors call a form of “epistemic violence” — a type of intellectual harm where truth is distorted and critical voices are silenced. The study identifies this as a deliberate “denialist strategy,” one that works to deny feminism, justify patriarchy, and shape the social mindset of viewers, particularly in Pakistan.

How Memes Shape Mindsets

While memes may seem harmless or humorous, the research shows they often carry deep ideological messages. Many viral memes use religious imagery or quotes to mock women’s empowerment campaigns, label feminism as “anti-Islamic,” or glorify traditional gender roles as divinely ordained.

These visuals simplify complex theological ideas into bite-sized, misleading messages — making them highly shareable and emotionally persuasive. As a result, digital humor becomes a powerful tool for spreading religio-patriarchal propaganda under the guise of faith-based morality.

Islamic Feminist Hermeneutics: A Tool for Deconstruction

To counter these distortions, the authors employ Islamic feminist hermeneutics — a scholarly method that reinterprets Islamic texts through a gender-sensitive lens. This approach reveals that Islam, at its core, advocates for justice, equality, and respect for women’s rights.

By revisiting religious sources such as the Quran and Hadith with contextual understanding, Islamic feminism challenges the patriarchal misreadings that have dominated traditional interpretations. The study emphasizes that reclaiming this interpretive space is vital for restoring the true spirit of Islamic justice in gender discourse.

Pakistan: A Case of Ideological Tug-of-War

Pakistan’s social landscape provides a unique case study where religious identity and national ideology intertwine deeply. The rise of digital platforms has allowed both progressive and conservative voices to shape public opinion on gender.

However, the study finds that patriarchal and anti-feminist narratives dominate, often backed by political or religious groups that equate feminism with Western influence. This framing not only misrepresents women’s rights activism but also delegitimizes genuine Islamic feminist movements working within the faith tradition.

Denialism as Epistemic Violence

The authors describe this online manipulation as denialism — a deliberate act of rejecting or twisting knowledge. In this context, denialism is not just about rejecting feminism but about erasing women’s agency and controlling public understanding of Islam.

Through disinformation, patriarchal actors seek to maintain social hierarchies by claiming that women’s rights advocacy threatens religious and cultural values. This is a strategic form of intellectual control, designed to silence dissent and reinforce traditional gender roles.

Why It Matters

The consequences of these digital narratives are far-reaching. They shape how people understand religion, morality, and gender. By blurring the line between faith and misogyny, social media disinformation risks normalizing inequality under the banner of religious authenticity.

For young users in particular — who consume most of their information online — such narratives can distort their understanding of both Islamic values and gender justice. Over time, this undermines progress toward gender equality and social reform.

The Role of Feminist Activism

Despite the challenges, Pakistan has a vibrant community of women’s rights activists and Islamic feminists working to reclaim religious narratives. Movements such as Aurat March and online campaigns led by scholars and journalists have opened new conversations around faith, feminism, and equality.

The study highlights that recognizing and resisting digital disinformation is essential for sustaining these efforts. Feminist activism in Pakistan, therefore, is not only a social struggle but also an intellectual and theological one — fighting to preserve truth in the digital era.

Countering the Misuse of Religion Online

To address this growing concern, experts suggest several key strategies:

1. Promoting Digital Literacy: Educating users to critically analyze religious claims and recognize manipulative content.

2. Supporting Islamic Feminist Scholarship: Encouraging authentic interpretations rooted in justice and compassion.

3. Regulating Hate Speech and Misleading Content: Holding digital platforms accountable for curbing misogynistic or extremist material.

4. Empowering Women’s Voices Online: Creating safe spaces for female scholars, journalists, and activists to share authentic religious perspectives.

Conclusion

The study underscores a critical truth: the struggle for gender equality in Pakistan is not only fought on the streets but also in the digital and theological arenas. Misinterpretations of Islam spread through social media disinformation campaigns serve to uphold patriarchy and silence feminist thought.

By exposing and deconstructing these tactics, Islamic feminist scholarship provides a path toward reclaiming faith from ideological manipulation — reaffirming that Islam’s true message is one of equality, dignity, and justice for all.

About the Study

This article is based on research published in SAGE Open under the title “Social media disinformation and misinterpretation of Islamic teachings about women’s rights in Pakistan undermine Muslim women’s endeavor to achieve gender equality.”