Social Media and Human Rights Activism: Unpacking the #Freewiwa, #StandwithWiwa, and #JusticeforMoreblessingAli

Social media plays a critical role in human rights advocacy and awareness. This study examines how human rights activists in Zimbabwe used hashtags to mobilize support for human rights issues. The study investigates the correlation between human rights activism and hashtags, utilizing digital and alternative public sphere theories. Methodologically, the study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing digital archives for data collection and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) for analysis. The findings show that activists used hashtags to mobilize support for Job Sikhala and justice for the murder of Moreblessing Ali. Hashtags such as #FreeWiwa, #StandWithWiwa, and #JusticeForMoreblessingAli raised awareness of the violations against Sikhala and Ali. The results confirm that hashtags enable discussions, advocacy, and lobbying for human rights. Additionally, activists invoked religious beliefs in these campaigns.