Historically, media representations of women have often been limited to stereotypical roles such as caregivers, homemakers, or romantic interests. Women are frequently objectified and sexualized in media portrayals, reducing them to their physical appearance and reinforcing narrow beauty standards. This can contribute to body image issues, low self-esteem, and unhealthy relationships among women and girls.Women are often underrepresented in media, particularly in leadership roles, STEM fields, and other traditionally male-dominated areas. When they are represented, they may be portrayed as exceptions or tokens rather than as fully developed characters with agency and complexity.Media representations of women often intersect with other aspects of identity such as race, ethnicity, sexuality, and disability. Intersectional analysis reveals how these intersecting identities shape women's experiences and opportunities in media portrayals. Women from marginalized groups may face additional layers of stereotypes and discrimination.Feminist scholars, activists, and media watchdogs have long critiqued the representation of women in media and advocated for more diverse, inclusive, and empowering portrayals. This includes initiatives to increase the visibility of women's voices and stories, challenge stereotypes, and promote media literacy and critical thinking among audiences.Overall, media representation of women plays a powerful role in shaping societal attitudes and perceptions. Efforts to promote more diverse, authentic, and inclusive portrayals of women are essential for challenging gender stereotypes, promoting gender equality, and fostering a more equitable and inclusive media landscape. While there have been some improvements in recent years, including the emergence of strong female characters in film, television, and literature, significant challenges remain. Women continue to face systemic barriers to equal representation and opportunities in media industries, including issues of pay equity, workplace harassment, and lack of access to decision-making roles.

1. Prepared by,
Marazana Houqe Mitu (191601)
Ashik Mondal (191609)
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2. Outline
Introduction
What is mass media and types
Images of women in mass media
Theory about representation of women in mass
media
Inequalities of women in mass media
Sexual oppression of women in mass media
Positive Representation of women in mass media
Representation of women in mass media Bangladesh
perspective
Conclusion 2

3. Introduction
The representation of women in media has been a contentious issue for many years. Women have
historically been underrepresented, misrepresented, or even completely absent from various forms of
media, including film, television, advertising, and news media. This has had a significant impact on the
way women are perceived in society and on their opportunities for success.
Representation of women in media can take many forms, ranging from the way women are depicted in
movies and TV shows to the language used to describe them in news stories. It can also include the
way women are marketed to in advertising and the roles they are given in video games and other forms
of entertainment.
The representation of women in media is a complex and multifaceted issue that has far-reaching
implications for women's rights and gender equality. It is an issue that requires ongoing attention and
advocacy from individuals, organizations, and governments alike. Nowadays media also represent
image of women empowerment.
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4.  Mass media refers to a diverse array of media that
reach a large audience via mass communication
 Mass media, modes (or, less commonly, a single
mode) of mass communication whereby
information,
opinion, advocacy, propaganda, advertising,
artwork, entertainment, and other forms of
expression are conveyed to a very large audience.
In this the most general sense of the term, mass
media have included print, radio, television, film,
video, audio recording, and the Internet in
particular, the World Wide Web and Internet-
based social media.
Description about mass media
4

5. Images of women in mass media
In radio
In television
In social media
In film industry
In advertising
In newspaper and
magazines
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6. Theory about Representation of Women in Mass
Media
Objectification theory
(Fredrickson and Roberts (1997) proposed objectification
theory)
This theory suggests that women are often portrayed in
the media as objects to be admired or desired, rather than
as full human beings with their own thoughts, feelings,
and experiences. This can lead to a range of negative
consequences, such as increased body dissatisfaction,
decreased self-esteem, and a greater likelihood of
experiencing sexual objectification.
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7. Theory about Representation of Women in Mass
Media
Cultivation theory
(This theory developed by George Gerbner in 1960)
This theory suggests that the more people are exposed to
media messages, the more they come to believe that those
messages reflect reality. In the context of women and the
media, this could mean that repeated exposure to images of
thin, conventionally attractive women could lead to the
belief that this is the only acceptable standard of beauty.
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8. Theory about Representation of Women in Mass
Media
Feminist media theory:
This theory critiques the way that women are
represented in the media and argues for greater
representation and participation of women in the media
industry. It argues that women have been historically
marginalized and underrepresented in the media and that
their representation needs to be more diverse, realistic
and respectful.
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9. Theory about Representation of Women in Mass
Media
Male Gaze theory
This theory developed by the filmmaker and academic Laura Mulvey in the
1970s.
 This theory suggests that much of the media is created with a male audience
in mind, and that women are often depicted in ways that are intended to be
visually pleasing to men. This can result in women being objectified and
sexualized in the media.
 Mulvey argues that this is due to the predominance of male filmmakers and
a patriarchal society that values men's desires over women's autonomy.
 Mulvey also argues that the male gaze is harmful because it reinforces
gender roles and reinforces the idea that women exist for male pleasure.
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10. Theory about Representation of Women in Mass
Media
The Beauty Myth
Developed by Naomi Wolf
In 1990 Naomi Wolf published a book called ’The Beauty
Myth’. Where she shows how the images of beauty are use
against women.
She criticized the fact that beauty and fashion industries
unfairly exploit women as well as she suggested that they
should be able to make their own choice based on their own
opinions of physical appearance.
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11. Inequalities of Women in Mass
Media
Inequalities in participation
Racial discrimination in
modeling
Inequalities in playing
characters
Gender stereotyping
Inequalities in representation
Sexual harassment
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12. Inequalities of Women in Mass Media
Women are underrepresented or misrepresented in media in terms of quantity, quality, and diversity and we
must acknowledge that media has always been a patriarchal field since its inception.
Generally, Women are more frequently shown in commercials for beauty products and household products,
whereas advertisements for men are more likely to focus on cars, business products, or investments.
Women are often portrayed in stereotypical roles, such as being overly emotional or being portrayed as
sexual objects that lead to gender stereotypes, bias, and inequality
 Only 31% of speaking characters in films are female.
 Women make up only 25% of the protagonists in films.
 Women hold only 27% of behind-the-scenes jobs in film and television.
 Women are only 20% of newspaper op-ed writers.
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13. Sexual oppression of women in mass media
Objectification
Lack of diversity
Double standards
Violence against women
Pay and representation
disparities
Hyper-sexualization:
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14. Positive representation of women in mass media
Strong, complex female characters: Female characters should be portrayed as
complex, multi-dimensional individuals with their own agency, goals, and
emotions. They should not be reduced to stereotypes or one-dimensional
caricatures.
Diverse representation: Women come from different backgrounds, cultures, and
experiences, and media should reflect this diversity. This means including women
of all ages, races, religions, abilities, sexual orientations, and body types.
Representation behind the scenes: Women should also be represented behind the
scenes in media, as writers, directors, producers, and executives. This can help
ensure that women's stories are told from their own perspective, and that media
reflects the diversity of the real world.
Representing women in leadership roles: Women in leadership roles, such as
politicians, business leaders, and community organizers, should be given visibility
and recognition in the media. This can inspire other women to pursue leadership
positions.
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15. Representation of women in mass
media: Bangladesh perspective
N
E
G
A
T
I
V
E
Gender Stereotyping
Promotes Unrealistic Beauty
Standards
Perpetuates Sexualization of
Women
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16. Representation of women in mass media:
Bangladesh perspective
P
O
S
I
T
I
V
E
Encourage in Education
Raise Awareness
Positive representation
Promotes Women's
Empowerment
Promote equal opportunities 15

17. Conclusion
In conclusion, the media has both a positive and negative impact on women . While it plays an
essential role in raising awareness about women's issues and promoting women's empowerment, it
can also reinforce negative stereotypes and unrealistic beauty standards, leading to self-esteem
problems and perpetuating gender inequality. Negative representation of women in media not only
distorts the reality of women's lives and experiences but it also reinforces gender stereotypes and
contributes to gender inequality. Therefore, it is essential for media to promote a positive portrayal
of women, that highlights their strengths, achievements, and diverse experiences. By doing so, we
can create a more equal and equitable society that empowers and celebrates women.
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18. References
1. What is media? definition and meaning http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/media.html Archived 7 May
2017 at the Wayback Machine
2.What is Communication Media? – Definition from
Techopedia http://www.techopedia.com/definition/14462/communication-media
3.World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development Global Report 2017/2018 (PDF). UNESCO. 2018.
p. 202.
4.Rattan, Aneeta (6 June 2019). "Tackling the Underrepresentation of Women in Media". Harvard Business Review.
pp. 1–2. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
5.The United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and Issues of Impunity,
2012, https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/un-plan-on-safety-journalists_en.pdf
6. World Trends Report in Freedom of Expression and Media Development Global Report 2017/2018 (PDF).
UNESCO. 2018.
7. "Safety of Women Journalists". UNESCO.org.
8. Lanza, Edison. 2017. Silenced Zones: Highly Dangerous Areas for the Exercise of Freedom of Expression. Office
for the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
Available at http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/expression/docs/publications/ZONAS_SILENCIADAS_ENG.pdf.
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19. Thank you
Have any Question?
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