I recently watched Adolescence on Netflix, and like so many others, I was shook. The way social media shapes gender dynamics, power, and fear felt painfully familiar.
What stood out most? The way boys internalise toxic messaging and how families either reinforce or ignore these issues altogether. It was uncomfortable, but not surprising.
In South Asian communities, these conversations are even harder to have. Honour, shame, and secrecy loom over girls from a young age. They are taught to be ‘good,’ to protect the family’s reputation, to stay quiet even when they feel unsafe. Social media only amplifies these pressures—controlling how they are seen, policing their actions, and at times, weaponizing their mistakes. But it can also be a space for change, connection, and empowerment—if we give them the tools to navigate it with confidence.
The Role of Rising Together
This is exactly why we do the work we do at Rising Together. We create spaces for real, honest conversations with mothers, daughters, teachers, and communities. Because building confidence and self-worth in South Asian girls isn’t just about them—it’s about shifting the narratives that have kept them small for generations.
We see it time and time again: girls doubting their worth, holding themselves back, fearing what others might say. The pressure to conform, to be ‘respectable,’ to avoid bringing shame is immense. But here’s the truth: confidence is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. When girls know their worth, they challenge outdated norms. When they have role models, they see possibilities beyond the limitations set for them. When they have safe spaces, they learn to use their voices.
The Conversations We Need to Have
If we truly want to protect and empower South Asian girls, we need to start by listening. We need to ask hard questions:
- How do we hold boys accountable for the messages they absorb and the power they wield online and offline?
- How do we equip girls to navigate social media without fear, without shrinking themselves?
- How do we move past honour and shame to raise a generation that values self-worth over societal approval?
At Rising Together, these are the conversations we are having every day. With young girls learning to set boundaries. With mothers rethinking the messages they pass down. With teachers who want to create safer, more supportive environments. Because real change happens when we start within our own communities.
What’s Next?
Watching Adolescence was a reminder of why this work matters. The world will keep telling South Asian girls to be small, to be silent, to be careful. But we will keep reminding them they are enough, just as they are.
The question is—are we ready to listen, learn, and rise together?
Join the conversation. Share your thoughts. Let’s start breaking the silence.
