Social media has contributed to the stereotyping of women by laying down beauty standards, objectifying women, and creating a traditional image of the women performing specific social and professional roles. In parallel, social media has created a standard image of strong/radical/rebellious women. Regardless of the intentions and rationale behind such images, all have negatively misrepresented women. Nevertheless, the foundations of such stereotypes are to be explored. In the same vein, female activists and media and women’s organizations should reflect on how to combat such misrepresentations.
To that end, this session is to provide space to discuss the variegated stereotypes of women that have been reinforced by social media and reflect on possible ways to dispel them.