Twitter launches Women Empowerment initiative #PositionOfStrength in India

For the first time in Asia, Twitter launches #PositionOfStrength, a women empowerment initiative, in India today to help bridge the gender equality gap online in the country. Women make up only 29 percent of 375 million Internet users in the country, and fewer are on social media platforms (Source: Statista). Together with FICCI Ladies Organization, Observer Research Foundation and other partners, Twitter seeks to engage and empower more women in India to find their voices online, communicate safely with confidence, and network with other like-minded women and the global community at large.

As part of the #PositionOfStrength movement, Twitter and its partners will be hosting a series of closed-door roundtables and workshops with women leaders to discuss how to increase empowerment and safety for women, both online and in the physical world, across the nation throughout the year. The first of the series of roundtables took place today with India’s women influencers, including Sowyma Rao (@sowmyarao_), Sairee Chahal (@Sairee), Chavvi Rajawat (@villagesoda), to understand their perspectives on using the platform to build up their profile and as a #ForceForGood in society.

In addition, a workshop was held today with close to 50 women from 20 universities and colleges to educate them on how to use Twitter as a platform to build a profile, have a voice, and create their own unique and influential personal brands. The workshop for college women aims to inspire the next generation of women leaders in India to the opportunities that Twitter can provide as a live, public conversation platform to advocate change in society.

In relation to promoting a safer online environment for Twitter users in India, the Twitter Safety Center is now also available in Hindi.

Patricia Cartes, Head of Global Trust & Safety Outreach, Twitter said, “Safety is at the core of Twitter. We have introduced measures to empower our users with tools to mute, block and report abusive behaviour. More importantly, we recognize that it’s critical that we engage and educate women locally to use the platform safely and with confidence. For the first time in Asia, we’re pleased to bring #PositionOfStrength to India, as well as launch Twitter’s Safety Center in Hindi, as we are committed to increasing our safety efforts and rolling out this social movement with our partners across this important market.”

Mahima Kaul, Public Policy Head, Twitter India said, “We have heard from many women influencers on Twitter who have used the platform to drive awareness on the gender pay gap, childcare, domestic violence, healthcare and flexible work. With the introduction of our #PositionOfStrength initiative, we hope to strengthen the women empowerment movement in India by encouraging more women to amplify their voices through Twitter in a secure and confident manner. Thank you to our partners for their support as we work together as a community to give more women a public voice and raise their influence in society, for both today’s generation and the next.”

"Technology is neutral, but initiatives like #PositionOfStrength help align them with progressive values," says Arun Mohan Sukumar, Head, Cyber Initiative, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi. "Bringing gender equality into vibrant digital spaces is one of the most important policy questions of our time. In offering a sustainable, creative and effective platform for women to realise this goal, Twitter and #PositionOfStrength have a natural partner in the Observer Research Foundation."

“(The) Digital world is a huge enabler, it has the potential to remove barriers, biases, overcome mobility restrictions, security, and time limitations. It has given voice to people; created new channels of opportunity to work and do business, and is using data to ensure that gender equality is the beneficiary of technological advances. Digital savviness is an essential skill for the 21st century workplace. We are pleased to partner Twitter on #PositionOfStrength, a women empowerment initiative, that will help more women in India build their presence online and improve their digital quotient. FICCI FLO is all about women empowerment and we look forward to further this initiative with Twitter on International Women’s Day,” said Archana Garodia Gupta, President, FICCI Ladies Organization

As a #PositionOfStrength partner, Observer Research Foundation aims to further the youth engagement by taking the campaign to 20 universities and colleges in Delhi to participate in a university contest on women empowerment. The purpose of the competition is to raise awareness among the youth about the importance of women empowerment in society and share ideas on how to make it happen. Female student leaders will represent their colleges in the competition and encourage their college communities to Tweet their ideas, suggestions and comments according to weekly themes aligned with the  #PositionOfStrength movement. The most engaging Tweets from the competition will be compiled into a Top 100 Tweets digital book that will be presented to a senior government official in Delhi to ensure their #PositionOfStrength voices are heard. The university competition will start in Delhi and be brought to other universities as the #PositionOfStrength campaign is launched in more cities across the country.