The (Beard-) Veil Also Matters on Facebook: Syrian Men and Women Between Patriarchy and Revolution

Abstract

Abstract This article discusses how the publishing of Syrian women’s photos on Facebook provokes controversy in Syrian Facebook communities, in the context of ongoing violent political upheaval. After the Arab uprising reached Syria in March 2011, Syrian men and women have been using Facebook extensively to fight for their rights. Yet, the photo of a young dead Syrian woman activist caused a heated debate on Facebook, because she was not wearing a veil. We argue that while gender inequalities, which are prevalent in Syrian society seemingly persist in cyberspace, we are in fact witnessing the emergence of what we call a “limping” mobile society. In this mobile society, authoritative notions of womanhood are challenged, whereas dominant understandings of manhood barely change. In explaining this, this article contributes to scholarly debates in the fields of gender and power in conflict and post-conflict societies as well as social media and gender equality studies.