Working within and against the Structures: Women, Media and Transnational Perspectives

February 28 - March 1, 2018

University of the Punjab, Lahore

Women's voices are often excluded, silenced and marginalized in the media output, as well as in settings and processes in media institutions. It is of pertinence to study how women in media and media education navigate between cultural regulations and their personal aspirations in their lives course choices, especially those related to education, employment, and family. How are they using the resources offered by their environment to enact their preferences? In doing so, to what extent do they have a chance to influence the very structures and representations of the media institutions?

The conference aimed to develop analyses of how women in the media organizations and in media education find their voices, channel them, modify them, and gain a measure of empowerment. It aimed to examine the representation of women in a variety of media output, in media organizations and media education institutions across cultures by focusing on the situation in a variety of countries. Did women in different geographic settings address similar concerns and/or come to parallel conclusions?  How were women adhering to their cultural backgrounds redefining their roles in society?

Our objective was to investigate how women identified structural and social challenges that restricted their personal, social, and political agency as media practitioners and educators. We sought to understand how a specific form of women's agency or efforts influenced their circumstances based on their interests and concerns within their respective contexts. Additionally, we aimed to examine the extent to which women perceived themselves as isolated individuals versus collaborators with other women and men to effect change, particularly in the realm of social media dynamics. Our inquiry delved into the portrayal of women in the media as agents capable of instigating change in societal structures and practices. We explored whether women were depicted as victims, subjected to stereotypes, afforded individuality, and engaged in supporting other women. Furthermore, we investigated how media representation played a role in reinforcing gender subordination and contributing to the struggles faced by females. Lastly, we fostered a dialogue on how women within media institutions could collectively wield power to shape their life events, navigate transitions, and break free from patriarchal norms.

The conference comprised five sessions exploring various dimensions of women's roles in media and education. Session 1 focused on "Women and Marginalization," investigating how gender norms impact decision-making and whether educated women in media and education can diverge from normative paths. Session 2, "Women as Actors within Structures," delved into how media women as agents can impact the lives of others, examining how shared experiences shape media organizations and educational cultures. Session 3, "Social Media and Women," explored the complexities of women as agents or victims in social media campaigns, emphasizing the need for research and strategies for empowerment. Session 4, "Varieties of Feminist Approaches to Media Representation," addressed the impact of different feminist perspectives on media and gender analysis, considering factors like class, ethnicity, and caste. Lastly, Session 5, "Women in Cooperation," examined the extent to which women in media associate themselves with others, assessing their potential to bring about change and highlighting studies on good media practices.

 CONFERENCE ORGANIZERS

• Association of Media & Communication Academic Professionals (AMCAP)
• Journalism and Media International Center (JMIC), Norway & Oslomet University - Norway
• Higher Education Commission - Pakistan
• ICS, University f the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.

Click here for the Proceedings Book 2018