In Idlib, within a safe and inclusive space, a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted with a diverse group of women, providing an opportunity for participants to engage in open and in-depth conversations about their daily interactions with digital spaces and social media platforms.
The women discussed the nature of the digital content they encounter on a daily basis and its influence on their perceptions of their social surroundings. They also explored the various ways in which they are exposed to hate speech and how they respond to it. In addition, the discussions addressed the issue of trust in information and credible sources within a digital environment saturated with competing and often conflicting narratives, shedding light on real-life experiences that rarely receive public attention.
This session forms part of a comprehensive research methodology implemented by SYCAC Organization across several Syrian governorates under the Echoes of Peace Project, which aims to understand the dynamics of hate speech in Syria.
The methodology combines multiple research tools, including field surveys, digital monitoring, and focus group discussions, to better understand hate speech as it is experienced by people in their daily lives. It also seeks to identify alternative narratives emerging from communities themselves that challenge hate speech and contribute to informing peacebuilding programs at both the local and national levels.
