Visual Representation of Gender in Flood Coverage of Pakistani Print Media.
Author:
Ali, Z. S
Date:
2014
Language:
English
Region:
Asia
Country:
Pakistan
Full Harvard Reference:
Ali, Z. S. (2014). Visual Representation of Gender in Flood Coverage of Pakistani Print Media. Weather and Climate Extremes vol 4;35-49.
Focusing on the 2010 floods in Pakistan, this study analyses the stereotypical representation of gender in Pakistani print media. Two national English-language daily newspapers in Pakistan were selected to analyse the coverage of visuals over a period of one month and 10 days. From this, Ali argues that the Pakistani print media contribute to masculine cultural hegemony. Throughout the visual print media analysed, women were victimised and represented as helpless and vulnerable. Women were frequently photographed taking care of children and cooking during the aftermath of the flooding. In contrast, men were portrayed as community leaders and saviours. Whilst the actions of men were covered by the newspapers, the actions of women remained invisible. The coverage of the flood in Pakistani print media conforms to gendered stereotypes.