Leysan Storie
Researcher, Director of Master Programme in Middle Eastern Studies
Identity, Social Media and Politics: How Young Emirati Women Make Sense of Female Politicians in the UAE
Author
Summary, in English
Social media offered new opportunities for politicians to engage with
public. However, little research explored public perceptions of women
politicians, and their role in women empowerment, especially in nonWestern
contexts. This study used the qualitative methodology to
explore how young Emirati women made sense of women politicians and
their social media posts. Drawing from the intersectionality theory, the
study looked beyond gender, exploring other identities that may play a
role in Emirati women’s perceptions of female politicians. Results offered
insights into the family and ethnic identity as they interacted with
gender, as well as the personalization of messages in a patriarchal
society. This study contributes to international political communication
research and practice by understanding the complexity of women’s
sense-making of social media and women politicians in a non-Western
context.
public. However, little research explored public perceptions of women
politicians, and their role in women empowerment, especially in nonWestern
contexts. This study used the qualitative methodology to
explore how young Emirati women made sense of women politicians and
their social media posts. Drawing from the intersectionality theory, the
study looked beyond gender, exploring other identities that may play a
role in Emirati women’s perceptions of female politicians. Results offered
insights into the family and ethnic identity as they interacted with
gender, as well as the personalization of messages in a patriarchal
society. This study contributes to international political communication
research and practice by understanding the complexity of women’s
sense-making of social media and women politicians in a non-Western
context.
Department/s
- MECW: The Middle East in the Contemporary World
- Department of Strategic Communication
Publishing year
2022-10
Language
English
Pages
789-807
Publication/Series
The International Journal of Press/Politics
Volume
27
Issue
4
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Topic
- Media and Communications
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1940-1612