The manosphere is an umbrella term for a ‘network of online communities’ that promote narrow & aggressive definitions of masculinity, along with the false narrative that feminism & gender equality have harmed men’s rights.

• Rooted in misogyny & anti-feminist rhetoric, the manosphere weaponizes digital platforms to spread hate, sexist ideologies, and reinforce deep gender bias.

Reasons behind Rising Manosphere 

• Need for Validation: Increasing social isolation & a desire for belonging drive many young men toward the manosphere, where they seek support, & validation.
• Digital Anonymity: Lowerssocial/legal consequences, making it easier to spread misogyny & hatred. 
• Social Media Algorithms: Amplify harmful & anti-women narratives.
• Masculinity Influencers: Many young men follow masculinity influencers who promote regressive gender roles and portray ‘men as victims of feminism’.

Impact 

• Less safety for women & girls in Digital Spaces: E.g., Gamergate was a harassment campaign in which female gamers were targeted by male-supremacists.
• Undermining Gender Equality distorting public understanding of gender issues, eroding public support for gender justice & women rights.
• Fuels Real-World Harm:  E.g., Verbal harassment, workplace discrimination, violence against women. 
• Reduced participation in public spheres: E.g., politics, media, academia, etc.