Digital Voices: The Role of Social Media in the Empowerment of Dalit Women in the Kosi region of Bihar

Digital platforms are providing Dalit women with opportunities to voice their opinions, share their stories, and challenge deep-rooted social inequalities. Historically, Dalit women in the Kosi division have faced considerable discrimination based on their caste, gender, and class, resulting in their marginalization across various sectors. This study utilizes a mixed-methods approach to explore their engagement in the digital space. It integrates qualitative methods, such as interviews with Dalit women activists and content analysis from platforms like Twitter and YouTube, alongside quantitative techniques, including surveys and evaluations of online campaign metrics. The research aims to understand not only the types of content produced by Dalit women online but also the frequency of their participation, the challenges they encounter—such as online harassment—and whether social media has fostered a sense of empowerment among them. The anticipated results will suggest that social media serves as a vital platform for Dalit women to assert their identities, enhance their visibility, and connect with others across different regions. However, issues like the digital divide, online harassment, and exclusion from digital spaces persist. The study concludes that while social media alone cannot eradicate deep-seated caste and gender inequalities, it plays a significant role in amplifying the voices of Dalit women and fostering new forms of digital solidarity and resistance. This research contributes to the expanding fields of digital activism, intersectionality, and women's empowerment in the Kosi Division.