Online attacks targeting minister’s wife highlight deep-seated misogyny
Summary
Online memes targeting Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel’s wife, Susmita Adhikari, have sparked debate over misogyny and the use of women as easy targets for political trolling. Rights activists say the attacks reflect deep-rooted patriarchy and gender bias in Nepal’s digital spaces.
Key Points
- A Facebook meme featuring Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel and his wife Susmita Adhikari went viral amid public anger over government failures and shortages.
- Rights activists and analysts say the trolling of Adhikari reflects patriarchal attitudes and misogyny, not just political satire.
- The article links the episode to earlier cases of sexist attacks on women in Nepali politics, including Hisila Yami and Arzu Rana Deuba.
- Commentators argue that political branding and public-private role blending can make women associated with politicians especially vulnerable online.
