Media's Role in Shaping Perceptions of Women in Indian Politics: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

This paper analyses how the media shapes people's perceptions of women in Indian politics. Although India has made progress in terms of gender equality, women in Indian politics still face numerous challenges, including media portrayals that often reinforce stereotypes and biases. This paper explores the existing literature and investigates how media representations affect public perceptions of female politicians in India. It delves into the portrayal of women in Indian politics across various media platforms, considering language, imagery, and framing. Additionally, the paper explores the impact of media portrayals on women's political careers, electoral success, and psychological well-being and how gender intersects with caste, religion, and regional identity in media representations. The research methodology is doctrinal in nature, and it examines the media's influence on public perceptions of ten Indian women politicians, including their political journey studies, published news, and opinions from social media platforms. The aim is to analyze how media influences public views of female politicians. The paper concludes by proposing strategies for promoting more inclusive and equitable media portrayals of women in Indian politics, including media literacy initiatives and advocacy for diversity and representation. Through this critical analysis, the paper aims to contribute to a better
understanding of the challenges faced by women in Indian politics and to inform efforts to promote gender equality in the media and beyond.