From Silence to Resistance: An Autoethnographic Account of Willful Femininity and Digital Activism in Gilgit-Baltistan

This article explores the complexities of women navigating digital spaces in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, by introducing the concept of “willful digital femininity” – a form of resistance to patriarchal constructions of femininity enacted through digital platforms. Drawing on Sara Ahmed’s notion of the willful subjects, the article adopts a critical autoethnographic approach centred on the first author’s experience as a feminist and activist. Through this lens, the article analyses the intersections of femininity, digital spaces, and social norms in this remote region. The article highlights the challenges women in the region face in expressing alternative femininities online and argues that their navigation of digital spaces necessitates deliberate resistant practices, termed willful digital femininity. Situated within the sociocultural context of Gilgit-Baltistan, this article offers insights into how women negotiate traditional gender roles while engaging with emerging digital landscapes.