Conceptualising Participation as Representation, Interaction, and Engagement
This chapter presents and nuances central concepts in the study of women’s participation in public life through the lens of the media. It is the centrality of politics and power that has captured the attention of researchers using various frameworks in gender and media studies. Yet, a focus on the participation of women in public life, more generally, through the lens of media has been in short supply. People’s public life is often reflected in the media. Consequently, much research has been done to investigate how women are represented in the media, from content analysis, examinations of when and how they are sources, and studies into why women leave the newsroom, to name only some of the many research foci. Especially in a sub-Saharan context, research shows underrepresentation and misrepresentation of women through mediated platforms (Tamale, 1999). This chapter starts by asking whether there are additional or complementary approaches to understanding and getting more accurate insight into how women participate in public life. We conceptualise participation as representation, interaction, and engagement and present an approach to understanding and researching women in public life and media. We argue that these perspectives will give a more accurate understanding of women’s participation in public life, beyond politics and power.
Publisert i 2025
Les artikkelen her