The WE-Talk AI GBV Narrative Challenge – Invincible Matriarch

This is part three of a series inviting readers to take the AI GBV Narrative Challenge. The ‘challenge’ was created using insights from a study that used artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse Jamaican online discussions about gender-based violence (GBV) between 2021-23. The study identified 11 main “narratives” around GBV. These narratives are strong shared beliefs that Jamaicans have, which often contribute to GBV in the country. As you read more about these 11 narratives, see if you can identify them in your own everyday speech and thought, and join us in challenging them using the strategies suggested.

Narrative 3: ‘Invincible Matriarch’

This is the shared belief that women hold more power and privilege in Jamaica than men, and therefore cannot be victimised. People who support this narrative believe that women are ultimately in control of Jamaican households, government, and society.

Why is this narrative dangerous?

The erroneous belief that women have more power than men leads to GBV victims being ignored; insensitively and unfairly treated; callously questioned, bullied, shamed, silenced; and denied the support and help they need. Why? Because you will not believe someone’s story of victimisation if you do not believe they can be victimised at all. That is what happens to many Jamaican women who experience GBV.

The data proves that women are not in a more advantageous position in Jamaican society than men. For example, even though about 40 per cent of Jamaican households are single-parent female-headed, which can make it sound like women are in positions of power as heads of households, in actuality, poverty is higher in households with only women income earners, and among women in general (World Bank 2023 Jamaica Gender Assessment). Likewise, even though 31.5 per cent of business owners in Jamaica are women, women-led businesses are smaller than male-led, and concentrate in lower-earning sectors (World Bank 2023 Jamaica Gender Assessment).

Key AI study findings:

1. Who is pushing this narrative?

• Men were identified as the primary drivers of the Invincible Matriarch narrative

• 83 per cent of the posts that supported the Invincible Matriarch narrative were from men aged 24-64 years

2. What is the sentiment around this narrative?

• Fifty-eight per cent of the conversation around this narrative was negative (for example, people were blaming women for GBV and violence and absolving men from being responsible and accountable)

• Nine per cent of the conversation around this narrative was neutral (for example, people were sharing personal anecdotes and perspectives that recognise the complexities of the issue)

• Thirty-three per cent of the conversation around this narrative was positive (people were recognising that some men react negatively to women’s economic power)

3. Is this narrative emerging, receding, dominant, or stable?

• Emerging (meaning few people believe it, but that number is growing rapidly)

Take the challenge – be the change!

How can you challenge this narrative?

• Help people recognise that while women have made important strides in society, they are definitely not in a more powerful, advantaged, or privileged position than men.

• Understand that an increase in numbers in a sector does not automatically translate to power. For example, having more women business owners in Jamaica has not shifted the fact that these women have smaller, lower-earning businesses; having more female-headed households has not changed the fact that these households experience more poverty.

• Believe GBV victims and survivors, even if they do not fit the stereotypical “victim” profile. Anyone can be a victim of GBV – regardless of class or socio-economic status. Never forget: strong women can experience GBV too.

These findings are taken from a study, ‘Tapping Social Media Using Artificial Intelligence to Understand Gender-Based Violence Norms and Perceptions in Jamaica’, done under the WE-Talk for the Reduction of Gender-Based Violence project being implemented by WMW Jamaica and CariMAN; funded by Global Affairs Canada and Oxfam Canada. Full research findings are available at
https://cutt.ly/WE-Talk-AI-Study. For more details, contact hello@wmwja.org.