Paradox of Women Empowerment: The Representations of Women in Television Dramas in Pakistan

Abstract

This study explored the representation of women in comparison to male characters using a content analysis of 54 episodes of two Pakistani television network dramas. The objective was to observe the representation of major characters, social roles and the issues of violation of women's rights. Under feminist theoretical framework, the findings revealed that women were represented in submissive social roles, exploited under the ideology of patriarchy. Ironically, a political regime, which projects itself as an emancipator and a conscientious feminist, was used to highlight the issues of violation of women's rights. Women empowerment and women's rights' programmes and policies of the ruling elites were used to advance the interests of government and political leaders to sustain control. The study concludes that as an influencer of behaviours and attitudes, patriarchal ideology plays a significant role in the representation of women as weak and submissive in television dramas in Pakistan.