Abstract

This study comprehensively examines the significant role women play in shaping and influencing the media industry, spanning sectors such as news coverage, film, television, advertising, and digital platforms. Focusing on women's representation, it analyzes how they are depicted across diverse media forms—from stereotypical portrayals in advertisements to the more complex characterizations in contemporary films and shows. Historically, media representations of women have been limited and reductive, casting them in passive or secondary roles, reinforcing traditional gender norms. This research highlights both the progress toward more inclusive and empowering portrayals, as well as the ongoing challenges. The study further investigates gender disparities within media industries, particularly in leadership, editorial, and creative roles. Despite the growing presence of women in media professions, substantial gaps remain in decision-making positions, which influence the kinds of stories told and whose voices are represented. These imbalances contribute to a lack of representation of women in high-level creative and editorial decisions, perpetuating institutional challenges such as unequal pay, the glass ceiling, and limited advancement opportunities. A key focus of the research centers on the gender-based challenges faced by women in media, including sexism, objectification, and gender-based violence. These issues shape both on-screen portrayals and off-screen experiences. Objectification, where women's value is reduced to their physical appearance or sexual appeal, remains widespread in media, including advertising and film, while gender-based violence reflects deeper systemic issues such as harassment and exploitation in media workplaces. These problems have broader implications on how women’s bodies, voices, and experiences are commodified and impact societal views of women’s roles.