Abstract

This study investigates the use of social media by women in the Middle East, particularly in Egypt, as a virtual refuge to openly discuss sensitive topics often deemed taboo in their society. It focuses on the "Confessions of a Married Woman" confidential-women-only Facebook group to understand how online platforms serve as sanctuaries for women seeking peer support and a place to express themselves freely. Through an analysis of 159 survey responses from the group, the study employs descriptive statistics to identify the subjects that drive women to these online spaces and the ways these forums contribute to their personal resilience. The rapid growth of the group to 185,000 members, largely discussing sexual matters, illustrates the urgent need for such safe spaces. This urgency is further accentuated by the considerable gender inequalities and entrenched societal stereotypes in the region and the resultant negative emotions experienced by women confronting challenges that cannot be openly discussed due to fear of societal judgement or an overarching lack of information. The research unveils how virtual environments not only offer relief from the constraints imposed by these societal norms but also act as critical support and resilience systems for women grappling with negative emotions and challenges that are otherwise suppressed due to societal scrutiny or pervasive misinformation.

Key Words: Women Support, Online Safe Space, Resilience, Gender Disparities, Social Media

About the Author

* Reeham R. Mohammed is a fourth-year doctoral candidate at the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University. She is a female Arab Hijabi Muslim emerging scholar interested in the intersections of organizational and critical/intercultural communication with a focus on identity, gender, agency, representation, DEI, Technology and AI.

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 17, No. 1, April 2025, pp. 78-89.

© Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).

Article Citation

Mohammed, R. R. (2025). Digital resilience: How Egyptian women navigate social media for empowerment. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 17 (1): 78-89.

Full Article

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