Social Media and Arab Women Empowerment - Literature review Example

Social Media and Arab Women Empowerment Name Institutional Affiliation Social Media and Arab Women Empowerment Abstract The proposal explores how the social media can play a role in empowering Arab women. Women in Arab regions experience much segregation from the society following their genders. It is through these isolations that you find them becoming vulnerable to exploitation and suffering. Therefore, the research aims at how these women can become empowered through the participating in social sites. In particular, the issue develops through the standpoint of examples of women participation on the different social platforms and how these activities can equate to empowerment in the gender. The Arab Spring contributes to the research as a key area where the media participation influenced the end result. A significant area of the research is the six objectives focusing on the topic of empowerment, events in Arab nations, and the media as a source of empowerment. Moreover, there are the three research questions developing the literature review to provide accurate information in support of the relevance of the topic to existing information. It is through these objectives that the structure of the research develops, especially directing the research methodology. The data of the study consists of secondary sources from publicly published data implemented through a quantitative research method. In particular, the study focuses on information available through the social media, thereby recognising it as part of the secondary statistics. The study supports the appropriateness and suitability of a quantitative design providing its advantages and applicability to the course of the topic. Keywords— Empowerment, Arab women, Social media, Arab Spring, Internet Aims and Objectives 1. To investigate how the social media plays a role in empowering Arab women. The particular social platforms of interests are Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. 2. To explore events in Arab countries and identify how women participated in these events. 3. To investigate the role of media in Arab regions and how it identifies with empowerment. 4. To compare media activism and gender in understanding how media can influence empowerment. 5. To give examples of empowerment realised through the use of the media. 6. To investigate the representation of women in the Arab regions and how the media helps improve or worsen the situation. The rise and extensive use of the social media in the contemporary society provides a much-needed social change. In particular, the media provides a channel for information sharing which is important in managing expression and identity (Newsom & Lengel, 2012). The introduction of Facebook in Arabic in 2009 marks a significant point in time where the Arab communities, especially the women managed to voice their opinion and actively engage in revolutions (Tufekci & Wilson, 2012). The imperative in the rise of social sites as sources of empowerment is the vast spread of the internet and accessibility through mobile devices. The aim of identifying these sites and the activities they facilitate provides evidence to support the topic. Arab uprising identifies multiple events in Arab nations where the society participation contributed to the outcome. Although much of these events are political, women took an active role in protesting and realising positive changes in their society (Tufekci & Wilson, 2012). Notable examples include the cases of Egypt, Iran and Tunisia discussed as part of the Arab Spring, where the public took advantage of the internet to mobilize people to take part in the political and protest movements (Tufekci & Wilson, 2012; Newsom & Lengel, 2012; Lehtonen, 2014; Gheytanchi & Moghadam, 2014). The use of these examples enhances our understanding of women activism and how the social networks enhanced their presence. The media on a global perspective provides an opportunity to achieve human rights, particularly the freedom of expression. ASMR (2011) presents the rise of social media in the Arab world including the shift in its usage from entertainment to encompass aspects of daily life. According to a report by ASMR (2011), the growth of the media among Arab users generates their positive engagement to political, civic, and entrepreneurial activities. In this case, it is the possibility of being active in these social paradigms that breed empowerment. Guta and Karolak (2015) focus on the Saudi Arabia women, presenting how the open space of the digital media provides them with a channel to develop an identity and negotiate their thoughts and opinions. Therefore, examining the cases of media as providing information literacy and media literacy builds the concept of empowerment. Issues of gender are common in the society leading to societal segregation. Gendered societies are characteristic of the Arab nations with women being expected to observe submissiveness. Moreover, public participation of women is minimal, work structures and opportunities follow gender structures, and education system differs along gender (Guta & Karolak, 2015). However, with the onset of the internet and creation of social networks, Guta and Karolak (2015) identifies that it became the only channel where equal participation of men and women occurred. In this case, the breaking of the tight family and clan ties to introduce more civic and democratic demonstrates a richer form of empowerment to the society, especially to the female gender. To develop the credibility of the research, it is important to give examples of empowerment realised through the media. The examples serve as pointers that it is possible for the Arab women to acquire such empowerment by actively participating in social sites. Guta and Karolak (2015) identify the examples of innovativeness and creativity realised through sharing ideas and information. Moreover, it provides a rich personal identity that goes beyond the femininity of the persons. Grizzle (2014) mentions of media and information literacy stimulating growth in the political, economic, personal, social and educational dimensions. Identity is an imperative component in the society whose presence, functionality and meaning are significantly influenced by the media. Obeidat (2002) focuses on Arab media and how it represents women. The question in the study is how the women in these regions become affected following a particular representation. Moreover, it is of interest to discover if the representation has a role to play in the advancement of the female gender in the Arab world. Research Questions 1. Is social media better than other types of media, especially traditional media in empowering Arab women? 2. How do social media influence empowerment and how can Arab women take part in the social sites to benefit from the various forms of empowerment? 3. Can Arab women participation in social media equate to empowerment? Literature Review The literature review focuses on the research questions of the study. In particular, it follows a discussion format summarising knowledge regarding the particular issues structuring the research questions. Social and Traditional Media in Empowering Arab Women Based on Beninger, Ajjan, Mostafa and Crittenden (2014), women make up half of the world population. However, they fail to represent an equal number to that of men in the employment sector. The underrepresentation of women in these sectors follows the cultural and gender segregation in the society limiting gender equality. The situation is more depressing in Arab countries, where Beninger et al. (2014) provides approximately 12% of the working population to consist of women. Therefore, the empowerment of women becomes necessary as an effect strategy to alleviate them from their position as vulnerable populations. In particular, the media has been active in fueling changes in the society, especially by providing information to the society promoting development (Tufekci & Wilson, 2012; Newsom & Lengel, 2012; Lehtonen, 2014; Beninger et al. 2014; Gheytanchi & Moghadam, 2014). The rise of information communication technology realised the development of social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube (Beninger et al. 2014). The sites act as communication channels allowing the active interaction of people from all boundaries. Apart from communication, these channels provide empowerment opportunities by providing benefits such as reshaping the processes in the community, faster accessibility and transfer of information, high-efficiency and productivity, faster accumulation, crafting, and sharing of knowledge (Beninger et al. 2014). Expounding on the benefits of accessing the internet and being on a social network, Beninger et al. (2014) include three classes of empowerment namely the transformation of political and social lives, information awareness leading to professional development, and expansion of social network and capital. Today, the availability of the social platform realises self-employment leading to economic empowerment. The existence of traditional media is not without benefits to the Arab woman. Based on Gheytanchi and Moghadam (2014) the traditional media in Arab states is usually under tight censorship by the government limiting the participation of the public, especially concerning their expression. Supporting the censorship of information flow, Tufekci and Wilson (2012) identifies the authoritarian form of leadership as a leading cause of limited information. With this form of leadership, there is little or no regard to public opinion, particularly that of women in the political and social spheres. Nevertheless, it is important to examine the contribution of traditional media such as the Al-Jazeera in providing the public with factual information (Tufekci & Wilson, 2012). Al-Jazeera managed to go against the government restriction on information sharing and broadcasted information about the political, social and economic oppression of citizen in regions such as Egypt during the Hosni Mubarak’s regimes. According to Meena (2012), mass media performs a significant role in developing and empowering women in the society. Examining the contribution of alternative media in empowering Arab women, typical examples include the printed publication covering issues on culture, religion, and social organisations. Meena (2012) includes the T.V. and radio as part of the alternative media replacing print publication to present faster communication to the public. Although some of these traditional information channels managed to surpass government control, their characteristics limit their performance compared to the social media. An example is their one-way communication strategy, whereas the social sites allow two-way communication developing a system of dialogue and conversation. Moreover, Meena (2012) includes their small-scale operating sphere and slow abilities to generate feedback as their limiting factors relative to the social media. Social Media as a Source of Empowerment Advancement in technology today provides an imperative function of the society including information dissemination through the various information communication technologies. For the Arabs, the availability of social media with the examples of Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube present the public with an uncensored communication channel where they can air their views and express their opinion (Ghannam, 2011). Therefore, the ability of a person to freely express their opinion and share their consent identifies with empowerment. Loiseau and Nowack (2015) identify active voicing realised through social media as one of the main contributors to the empowerment of women in Arab regions. With unrestricted freedom of expression and provision of a communication channel that does not discriminate on gender, women become more empowered to actively take part in the society. On an economic and financial paradigm, Beninger et al. (2014) address the free access of the social media only requiring an internet connection as a significant factor promoting e-business. The imperative of social media in revolutionising financial empowerment is its ability to provide the producer with a vast market of consumers where trade and transactions are much faster. Moreover, Beninger et al. (2014) give that social communication platform enhances the sharing of business information, enhancing the entrepreneurship sector. Beninger et al. (2014) provide further means on how the media realises economic empowerment such increasing brand recognition, give feedback from the consumer, generate revenue, and improve the consumer-producer experience. Political and psychological empowerment realised through activities such as blogging and addressing issues of interest are examples of the methods managing an effective empowerment of the society (Beninger et al. 2014). Women in Iran, Egypt, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia participate in the political, civil and societal changes through the use of social media (Ghannam, 2011; Tufekci & Wilson, 2012). These channels provide a means to bridge the gender barrier in Islamic communities, thereby providing the women with a social identity. Moreover, it enhances connectedness of the participant to the events occurring around the globe and promotes control of one’s life (Beninger et al. 2014; Loiseau & Nowack, 2015). Therefore, for the Arab woman to engage in these social sites and benefit from the multiple empowerments, it is required of them to access the internet and joins the various social groups. Through posting, commenting, liking, sharing, and blogging, they become liberated from gender inequity and gain freedom. At present, notable examples of women empowerment realised through the social media include the case of Arab Spring in Tunisia and Egypt where the regimes of Mubarak and Ali came to an end (Tufekci & Wilson, 2012). Loiseau and Nowack (2015) include the case of Nigeria, where through the Twitter messages, the women managed to attract public attention on violation of women rights following the abduction of young school girls. According to Gheytanchi and Moghadam (2014), the participation of women in the Iran’s Green Protests and the movement for women rights in Morocco presents examples of female empowerment on the social and political spheres. Further insights include the broader identification of the empowerment by Beninger et al. (2014) providing two classes of self-efficacy and social capital. The two groups account for the benefits realised through collective and individual effort. Research Methodology The research design of the study takes a quantitative approach collecting secondary data from social media sites. It is through the collection of statistics that an overview of women participation, particularly in the aforementioned regions becomes possible. A qualitative data design facilitates further analysis of these facts and provides credible information to support the research questions as well as the objectives of the proposal. A significant strategy applied in the study is the use of secondary data already available through the various publications supporting the research. Availability of secondary information enhances the accuracy of the study by providing historical evidence already documented from past researches relative to the current study. Moreover, the quantitative strategy adequately manages the particular objectives performing a comparison of media activism of both genders to inform an understanding of women and social media. According to Thomas (2010), the application of a quantitative approach follows the nature of the study, content, and purpose of the research. Usually, studies involving natural phenomenon are the best handle with this kind of research methodology. Its advantage for our study includes the provision of numerical and statistical data that can further undergo manipulation to enhance the accuracy of the aims and objectives. Thomas (2010) presents the process leading to the acquisition of quantitative facts whereby questionnaires, surveys, and interviews performed to gather data undergo a revision and conversion to numerical. It is the conversion of the qualitative form of information into a statistical analysis that enhances the credibility and usability of the information to inform and present the effectiveness of the research to the context. Supporting the suitability of the design, Hussain and Howard (2013) identify it as being a variable-oriented strategy that supplements theory with data to increase knowledge and understanding. Moreover, Thomas (2010) includes that apart from measuring variables in subjects, it expresses their relationship through statistical computations such as correlations, the difference in means, and relative frequencies. Qualitative research design focuses on understanding the purpose of the research rather than explaining it (Thomas, 2010). Examining the proposal, the purpose is to understand how the social media can lead to the empowerment of the Arab women. It is also important to note the impersonal role of the research in the gathering of the quantitative data. Based on Thomas 2010, the impersonal approach minimises the biases of the information and assist in constructing knowledge about the topic. A significant factor identifying the appropriateness and suitability of the research method is its deductive characteristics. With the deductive setting, it already sets the pace for the flow of the research pointing to a specific direction. The ability to have a sense of direction of the research at the beginning includes the benefit of identifying appropriate theory and testing these theories relative to the plan of the study. Thomas 2010 further explains the relevance of a quantitative approach in performing research by including its non-generalisation of content to provide the exact picture of the event. By eliminating the generalisation of information, the design fosters an in-depth understanding of concepts and their relevance to the research proposal. Therefore, it is evident that the application of the methodology to the study involves its ability to attribute theory, describe and compare facts to develop the accuracy of the information captured. Secondary Data According to Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2009), secondary data identifies information previously recorded for the purpose relating to the current study. The information is historically assembled interpreting to the elimination of a need to contact the respondent or subjects of the study. Examining the case of the current study, the design focuses on derived statistics available through public published facts. The use of these facts links with the classification of an external subgroup of information described by (Saunders et al. 2009). In this category, the published secondary information includes statistical, periodicals, and directories. Saunders et al. (2009) go further to explain about the different sources of information about these aforementioned categories. In particular, the application of documentaries requires their enhancement through the inclusion of other secondary sources or the collection of primary data. In the case of the proposal, the design eliminated the collection of primary data and relies on statistics available through the social sites. Lehtonen (2014) identifies documents as a version of the reality presenting information that relates the past to the present. In this case, documentaries serve as social artefacts preserving realities whose use enhances the current research. It is important to consider surveys as significant secondary information aiding the performance of the current study. Saunders et al. (2009) mention that already analysed surveys about the topic, such as data presenting the numbers of women active in the revolutions during the Arab Spring, are credible sources of information. In the example, the survey can help with the objective of gender and media activism by comparing the level of activity of both males and females during these periods. However, to enhance the reliability of secondary sources, Saunders et al. (2009) include a multiple source secondary data, which is a combination of the documentation and survey. The imperative of the multiple statistical approaches is the availability of a new form of data sets that born from the union of statics along the two areas. The focus of the study involves the Arab women and social media. Concerning social media, Saunders et al. (2009) identify it as part of the secondary sources of data. Its advantages in assisting the research include the cost saving of gathering data since it is readily available on the internet. Moreover, the availability of the data on a public domain interprets to an ease of access without inquiring any form of barriers. Through the use of social sites such as Facebook and Twitter to inform the research, Saunders et al. (2009) identify its advantage in enhancing the monitoring of data on a progressive sequence. Looking at Facebook as an example in the study, the frequency of comments and activities are observable and statistically presented such that a view can see the numbers of likes or comments. Moreover, being a social site, it enhances the gathering of a wide form of data whose computation improves the accuracy of the research and the conclusion reached. Saunders et al. (2009) summarise the advantages of the social media in providing data by mentioning the examples of its time-saving, accessibility, low-cost, permanency, relevance, unobtrusive, and the availability of comparative and contextual information. References ASMR. (2011). The Role of Social Media in Arab Women’s Empowerment. Retrieved from http://www.arabsocialmediareport.com/UserManagement/PDF/ASMR%20Report%203.pdf Beninger, S., Ajjan, H., Mostafa, R., & Crittenden, V. L. (2014). Empowering women entrepreneurs in emerging economies: A conceptual model. Organizations and Markets in Emerging Economies, (1), 16-30. Ghannam, J. (2011). Social Media in the Arab World: Leading up to the Uprisings of 2011. Center for international media assistance, 3, 19-34. Gheytanchi, E., & Moghadam, V. N. (2014). Women, Social Protests, and the New Media Activism in the Middle East and North Africa. International Review of Modern Sociology, 40(1), 1-26. Grizzle, A. (2014). Enlisting media and informational literacy for gender equality and women’s empowerment. Media and gender: a scholarly agenda for the Global Alliance on Media and Gender, 93. Guta, H., & Karolak, M. (2015). Veiling and blogging: social media as sites of identity negotiation and expression among Saudi women. Journal of International Women's Studies, 16(2), 115. Hussain, M. M., & Howard, P. N. (2013).What best explains successful protest cascades? ICTs and the fuzzy causes of the Arab Spring. International Studies Review, 15(1), 48- 66. Lehtonen, H. (2014). Social media and women of the Arab Spring: effects of social media on Egyptian women's participation in the revolution. Loiseau, E., & Nowack, K. (2015). Can social media effectively include women’s voices in decision-making processes? Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/dev/development-gender/DEV_socialmedia-issuespaper-March2015.pdf Meena, D.L. (2012). Empowering Women through Alternative Media. Retrieved at https://www.rtc.bt/Conference/2012_10_15/2-MeenaLongjam-AlternativeMedia.pdf Newsom, V. A., & Lengel, L. (2012). Arab Women, Social Media, and the Arab Spring: Applying the framework of digital reflexivity to analyze gender and online activism. Journal of International Women's Studies, 13(5), 31. Obeidat, R. (2002). Content and Representation of Women in the Arab Media. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/egm/media2002/reports/EP11Obeidat.PDF Saunders, Lewis., & Thornhill. (2009). Using secondary data. Retrieved from http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:DUZPNH7l1uAJ:ntst-aegean.teipir.gr/sites/default/files/forum/chaper_8_secondary_data.ppt+&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk Thomas, P.Y (2010). Research methodology and design. Retrieved from http://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/4245/05Chap%204_Research%20methodology%20and%20design.pdf Tufekci, Z., & Wilson, C. (2012). Social media and the decision to participate in political protest: Observations from Tahrir Square. Journal of Communication, 62(2), 363-379. Read More

The rise and extensive use of the social media in the contemporary society provides a much-needed social change. In particular, the media provides a channel for information sharing which is important in managing expression and identity (Newsom & Lengel, 2012). The introduction of Facebook in Arabic in 2009 marks a significant point in time where the Arab communities, especially the women managed to voice their opinion and actively engage in revolutions (Tufekci & Wilson, 2012). The imperative in the rise of social sites as sources of empowerment is the vast spread of the internet and accessibility through mobile devices.

The aim of identifying these sites and the activities they facilitate provides evidence to support the topic. Arab uprising identifies multiple events in Arab nations where the society participation contributed to the outcome. Although much of these events are political, women took an active role in protesting and realising positive changes in their society (Tufekci & Wilson, 2012). Notable examples include the cases of Egypt, Iran and Tunisia discussed as part of the Arab Spring, where the public took advantage of the internet to mobilize people to take part in the political and protest movements (Tufekci & Wilson, 2012; Newsom & Lengel, 2012; Lehtonen, 2014; Gheytanchi & Moghadam, 2014).

The use of these examples enhances our understanding of women activism and how the social networks enhanced their presence. The media on a global perspective provides an opportunity to achieve human rights, particularly the freedom of expression. ASMR (2011) presents the rise of social media in the Arab world including the shift in its usage from entertainment to encompass aspects of daily life. According to a report by ASMR (2011), the growth of the media among Arab users generates their positive engagement to political, civic, and entrepreneurial activities.

In this case, it is the possibility of being active in these social paradigms that breed empowerment. Guta and Karolak (2015) focus on the Saudi Arabia women, presenting how the open space of the digital media provides them with a channel to develop an identity and negotiate their thoughts and opinions. Therefore, examining the cases of media as providing information literacy and media literacy builds the concept of empowerment. Issues of gender are common in the society leading to societal segregation.

Gendered societies are characteristic of the Arab nations with women being expected to observe submissiveness. Moreover, public participation of women is minimal, work structures and opportunities follow gender structures, and education system differs along gender (Guta & Karolak, 2015). However, with the onset of the internet and creation of social networks, Guta and Karolak (2015) identifies that it became the only channel where equal participation of men and women occurred. In this case, the breaking of the tight family and clan ties to introduce more civic and democratic demonstrates a richer form of empowerment to the society, especially to the female gender.

To develop the credibility of the research, it is important to give examples of empowerment realised through the media. The examples serve as pointers that it is possible for the Arab women to acquire such empowerment by actively participating in social sites. Guta and Karolak (2015) identify the examples of innovativeness and creativity realised through sharing ideas and information. Moreover, it provides a rich personal identity that goes beyond the femininity of the persons. Grizzle (2014) mentions of media and information literacy stimulating growth in the political, economic, personal, social and educational dimensions.

Identity is an imperative component in the society whose presence, functionality and meaning are significantly influenced by the media. Obeidat (2002) focuses on Arab media and how it represents women. The question in the study is how the women in these regions become affected following a particular representation.

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