In a profound exchange, Hamida Khatri & Jessica Corona explore groundbreaking strategies for addressing gender-based violence (GBV) through their respective projects, focusing on the unique challenges faced in Pakistan and Latin America. This dialogue, part of the HASTAC Scholars Dialogues, emphasizes the role of innovative technologies and historical insights in combatting GBV.
Hamida Akhtar discusses her pioneering use of virtual reality (VR) to empower GBV survivors in Pakistan. Her project gamifies survivors’ narratives, providing an immersive and therapeutic platform where they can safely express and process their experiences. This approach not only aids in healing but also empowers survivors by giving them a voice in a controlled environment, challenging societal norms that often silence them.
Hamida: “Through VR, we can offer survivors a dynamic space to reclaim their stories and confront their trauma in empowering ways that traditional methods do not.”
Jessica’s archival work delves into the historical representation of Latina women in newspaper articles from 1900-1960s. By highlighting how these narratives have shaped and sustained gender biases over decades, her research underscores the importance of historical context in understanding and addressing contemporary issues of femicide and gender discrimination in Latin America.
Jessica: “Our historical examination reveals entrenched gender biases that help us understand the persistence of violence against women today and guide our strategies for change.”
Together, Hamida’s and Jessica’s dialogues provide a rich, interdisciplinary perspective on combating GBV, using technology and historical analysis to challenge longstanding societal norms and empower survivors across diverse cultural contexts.