Gender and Digital Media: Representation of Women on Social Media Platforms
Keywords:
Gender, Digital Media, Social media, Women's Representation, Feminism, Online Harassment, Intersectionality, Objectification TheoryAbstract
The rapid expansion of social media platforms has transformed the ways in which gender identities are constructed, represented, and contested in contemporary society. Women have gained unprecedented opportunities for self-expression, networking, activism, and entrepreneurship through digital media. However, social media also reproduces and amplifies existing gender inequalities through stereotyping, objectification, cyber harassment, and algorithmic biases. This paper examines the representation of women on social media platforms from a gender studies perspective. Drawing upon feminist media theory, objectification theory, and intersectionality, the study analyzes how women are portrayed, how they negotiate digital identities, and the challenges they encounter in online spaces. The paper further explores the role of social media in promoting feminist activism and social change. The findings suggest that while digital media offers new avenues for empowerment and visibility, it simultaneously reinforces patriarchal norms and gendered power relations. The study concludes that creating more inclusive and equitable digital environments requires platform accountability, media literacy, and gender-sensitive policies.
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Published on: 01-07-2026
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Copyright (c) 2026 Sanjay Kumar
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