Friday, December 6, 2024

Violence Against Women in Digital Spaces

 

                                                 (image: youtube.com)

Banatan dajon kay baje man..

The Philippine Star reported on December 6, 2024: Maris Racal and Anthony Jennings dominated Google search trends in the Philippines on Dec. 4 following an explosive social media post by the actor’s non-showbiz ex-girlfriend Jamela Villanueva.

The surge in searches began after Jamela shared screenshots exposing popular loveteam Maris and Anthony’s alleged infidelity in their private messages via Instagram stories at midnight.

The Maris-Anthony issue outpaced other major news stories such as the abrupt declaration of martial law in South Korea, which broke out around the same time.

This may indicate that the majority tend to rely more on their Feeling Brain than their Thinking Brain. Alternatively, it could suggest that many people are deeply invested in relationships, making the topic highly relatable to them.

The distinction between the "Feeling Brain" and the "Thinking Brain" is rooted in psychological and neuroscientific theories, with influences from Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow. Kahneman (2011) describes Feeling Brain as the intuitive, emotional processor and Thinking Brain as the deliberate, analytical thinker.

Moreover, as the issue continued to dominate social media platforms, the deeply ingrained patriarchal mindset among Filipinos became evident, with many quick to blame Racal as the culprit without considering the broader context or understanding the entirety of the situation.

The perpetuation of slut mentality and the tendency to blame women in various situations can be understood through multiple theoretical frameworks. Feminist theorists such as Sylvia Walby and Kate Millett, through Patriarchy Theory, highlight how societal structures privilege men and subordinate women, enforcing rigid sexual norms that penalize women for expressing agency over their bodies.

Thus, the meme on “I touch myself” seem to be entertaining to many not realizing that they are making fun to a woman – a human being. This aligns with the Double Standard Theory, which sociologists argue normalizes male promiscuity while labeling sexually autonomous women as immoral.

And as “responsible netizens” we have to understand legal implications on our actions. Sharing screenshots of private conversations without the consent of all parties involved violates the principles of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173) in the Philippines. This law protects an individual’s right to privacy by regulating the collection, processing, and disclosure of personal information.

In this case, the conversation between Maris and Anthony falls into this. Conversations, particularly private messages are under this category, as they contain identifiable details about the participants. Sharing such screenshots without consent not only disregards privacy but also breaches Section 11, which mandates the fair and lawful processing of personal information.

The tendency to gloat over a woman's mistakes is deeply rooted in ingrained societal norms and gender stereotypes that devalue women, often holding them to stricter standards than their male counterparts. However, it is essential to recognize the importance of understanding and adhering to the law to prevent harmful repercussions. Acknowledging the legal frameworks in place helps safeguard individual rights and ensures that such behaviors are met with accountability.

The incident involving Maris Racal and Anthony Jennings serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing need to address and end violence against women, both in the physical and digital spaces. Such actions, which involve the sharing of private and intimate content without consent, not only harm the individuals involved but also perpetuate a culture of disrespect and exploitation.

YOU can be her. Or, your child, your friend, sister or even your own mother…

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