EXAMINING THE REPRESENTATION AND RESISTANCE OF FEMINISM IN PAKISTANI TELEVISION DRAMAS
Keywords:
Feminism, Feminist Media Theory, Female Violence, Male Dominance, Pakistani Dramas, Patriarchal Society, Women’s RightsAbstract
This study examines the representation of feminism in Pakistani media, with particular focus on how it is both resisted and accepted in television dramas. Historically, Pakistani media has reinforced traditional gender roles, frequently portraying women as confined to household responsibilities, subjected to domestic violence, and vulnerable to sexual harassment, while emphasizing male dominance as the central source of authority within the family. Dramas such as Cheekh, Udaari, Pinjra, and Ruswai have reflected these themes, depicting women primarily as passive figures lacking awareness of their rights. However, recent years have witnessed a gradual shift, with approximately 40 percent of contemporary media content highlighting women’s independence and agency. Despite this progress, societal attitudes remain largely conservative and resistant to change. This study highlights how media representations portray both resistance to and acceptance of women’s rights within a patriarchal society, illustrating the struggles of women against societal pressures and familial constraints, as well as the varying degrees of support or opposition they encounter.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Maneha Raza , Tanzeel Ameen , Umm-e-Hani (Author)
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