Birgitte Wulff highlights widespread social control in new book

Author and journalist Birgitte Wulff reports that the social control experienced by Aisha, the subject of her new book ‘Aisha Rebel’, is more widespread than previously estimated. Through her research, Wulff has spoken with multiple women who have faced similar circumstances.

Aisha fled a violent marriage and an extensive network of social control. This control includes practices such as photographing Muslim women alone with children to verify their identities in Facebook groups. The pressure is so pervasive that Aisha expressed fear of having packages delivered by individuals who might take photos of her.

Because Aisha fled a man who sought to control her, she is viewed as having violated his and his family’s honor, leaving her without a support network. To document her experiences, Aisha collected approximately 3,500 pieces of evidence, including video recordings of sexual assaults, threatening messages, and photographs.