Breaking Barriers: The Representation of Pakistani Female Politicians in Media and Their Impact on Leadership and Empowerment

Abstract

This study investigates the representation of female politicians in Pakistani media, examining how print and electronic outlets shape public perceptions of women in leadership. Despite an increasing presence of women in the political landscape, their portrayal remains limited and gendered, often focusing on personal traits and family roles rather than their political achievements. Using Corpus-Assisted Discourse Analysis (CADA), the research highlights criticalfigures such as Benazir Bhutto, Fatima Jinnah, and Maryam Nawaz, analyzing themes of leadership, empowerment, and challenges. By quantifying gender disparities in media coverage, this study uncovers how these women are marginalized compared to their male counterparts, reinforcing traditional gender stereotypes. The findings emphasize the media’s role in perpetuating and challenging societal norms, shedding light on the broader implications for gender equality and women's empowerment in Pakistani politics. This research provides critical insights into the evolving discourse of female leadership in a patriarchal society, calling for more inclusive and equitable media representation.