Protecting Girls' Rights Online and Offline
By Sonal Dhanani, Pakistan Program Manager
Honor should never come at the cost of a life. Yet for 15-year-old Hira Anwar, a US-born teenager visiting Pakistan, a simple act - posting TikTok videos - became a death sentence. Killed by her father in the name of “honor,” her story is a chilling reminder that for too many girls, self-expression is seen as defiance, and defiance is met with violence.The incident reflects a disturbing trend in South Asia, where over 1,000 women lose their lives every year in honor killings, often due to perceived violations of family or societal honor. Whether it's choosing a partner, interacting with men, or in this case, using social media, women and girls are murdered because their actions challenge the rigid, patriarchal norms that have prevailed for centuries.
As a woman, this story chills me to the bone. It’s a reminder that no matter how far we have come, no matter how much we have fought for our freedom, the world is still a dangerous place for girls who seek autonomy. I feel a sense of powerlessness, knowing that a young girl’s only crime was living her life as she saw fit, without fearing the retribution that might follow. What kind of world are we living in if a girl cannot share her thoughts and creativity without facing the possibility of violence?
One significant aspect of this tragedy is the role of digital illiteracy. In a society where millions of young people use social media platforms like TikTok, there’s a stark divide in understanding the implications of an online presence. This is not just a case of a girl sharing harmless content; it’s a reflection of how digital illiteracy can make young women vulnerable to manipulation, harassment, and even violence. The absence of awareness about online safety, privacy, and digital rights only heightens the risk for these young women, who may not fully understand the dangers they face.
The lack of digital awareness can have devastating consequences. It can leave girls like Hira exposed to public shaming, threats, and, as in this case, death. The need for digital education has never been more urgent. When we fail to empower our daughters with the knowledge of how to navigate online spaces safely and confidently, we fail them.
But the responsibility does not lie with girls alone. We need men and boys to be part of this conversation. Digital safety is not just about self-protection; it is about creating an online world where women and girls can exist freely without fear. With online misogyny surging—reports show a fourfold increase in digital abuse against women and girls—men and boys must be part of the solution. Teaching consent in digital spaces, promoting bodily autonomy, and encouraging allyship can help dismantle the toxic culture that fuels cyberviolence, doxxing, and harassment.
Additionally, educating older generations in underreached communities with limited digital access is crucial. In South Asia, many parents are concerned about social media's impact on their children, citing issues like privacy, exploitation, and cultural erosion. Misinformation and unfamiliarity with digital tools exacerbate these fears. By promoting more education on safe and responsible internet use among parents, we can reduce the stigma surrounding social media and help parents become allies in their children's digital lives.
It’s easy to read news stories and feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the work still to be done. As I read about what happened to Hira , I couldn’t help but feel angry. I asked myself, why is it that women’s lives are so easily discarded in the name of family honor or societal expectations? Why are the freedoms of young girls,their right to express themselves, to be visible, to have voices—so easily silenced? But the power to change this is in our hands. We must advocate for change, not only to prevent honor killings but also to create a world where women are taught to protect themselves in the digital realm. We can start small by having conversations with the elders in our family, educating the young people in our sphere influence of digital safety, sharing more awareness on our social media of stories like Hira’s and advocating for more protections for girls and women.
We are all digital citizens, navigating online spaces that shape our interactions, opinions, and communities. Just as we respect people's rights and boundaries in the physical world, it is crucial to uphold the same values in digital spaces. This means fostering respectful dialogue, protecting privacy, combating misinformation, and standing against online harassment. The internet is a shared space, and our actions, whether through words, shares, or comments, impact others. By practicing empathy, responsibility, and ethical engagement online, we contribute to a safer, more inclusive, and respectful digital world for everyone.
Education, awareness, advocacy, and empowerment are the only ways forward. We owe it to every young girl out there to ensure that she has the tools to protect her freedom, both in the real world and online.
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