Experiences
On November 26, a new edition of Techdenkers took place at De Balie in Amsterdam. The central question was how feminists fight back in the digital age against online anti feminist narratives, misinformation and the rise of radical right male influencers. Where earlier feminist waves relied on pamphlets, banners and television appearances, today's struggle unfolds among algorithms, memes and platform dynamics.
Photo via De Balie
Online platforms have become the main stage where anti feminist counter movements are most visible. The manosphere, where hostile ideas about feminism circulate, uses memes and algorithms to strengthen traditional gender roles and undermine feminist perspectives
One example discussed during the event was the recent clip of Rob Jetten suggesting that “men would enjoy a military training with Princess Amalia”. This comment, widely viewed as sexist, shows how mainstream political statements can be amplified online and used within the manosphere to reinforce sexist assumptions and weaken feminist themes.
The core question is clear: how can feminists effectively push back and make their voices heard in this digital arena?
Eva Hofman - Journalist and writer Eva Hofman described how online imagery and language are shifting and how these subtle changes influence debates about autonomy and bodily integrity. Her analysis showed how normalising rhetoric online can lead to attitudes in which decisions about women's bodies suddenly seem open for discussion or even self evident. Stories and essays serve as important counter voices in this context.
Sueda Isik - Editor of online culture and social media Sueda Isik offered insight into young people and the speed at which ideas and trends spread. She emphasised that young people are not only receivers of content but also actively shape meaning by remixing, responding and creating new formats. According to Isik, this presents an important opportunity: when young people are included in feminist perspectives, they can form a powerful online counter movement.
Maaike Meijer - Scholar of Dutch literature and feminist criticism Maaike Meijer placed the current digital struggle in a historical context. She pointed out that every feminist wave has faced backlash and that activism becomes especially crucial in such moments. Her warning was clear: staying passive allows the debate to shift. At the same time, she raised critical questions about the exhaustion that social media can cause and argued for deliberate engagement rather than automatic participation.
Nina Pierson - Entrepreneur and writer Nina Pierson showed how personal stories shared on social media can have a profound impact. With more than sixty thousand followers on Instagram, she uses her platform to talk about experiences including her abortion, demonstrating how such openness can break taboos and provide recognition and information. According to her, personal narratives, when used with care, can be a powerful technological tool in the digital struggle.
The contributions made clear that feminist tech tools are not limited to advanced technology. They range from Instagram to podcasts, books, essays and digital communities. A book can be just as effective as a social media post, each reaching different audiences and shaping public debate in its own way.
The event at De Balie showed that online counterforces are strong, but feminists have many tools to resist them. By involving young people, analysing critically, sharing personal stories and using both digital and traditional media strategically, a strong counter voice can emerge against the manosphere.