Media representations, sociocultural patterns of femininity and violence against women in print media of south Ecuador

• Lizette Ivonne Lazo -Serrano Universidad del Azuay
• Michelle Thalia Crespo-Carreño Universidad Técnica de Machala
• Sandra Carolina Zhune -Rosas Universidad Técnica de Machala

Keywords: Print media, stereotypes, violence, women's participation

Abstract

Throughout history, the media has perpetuated gender stereotypes about women, influencing society. This research in the province of El Oro, Ecuador, analyzes the relationship between sociocultural patterns of femininity, media communication, violence against women and gender representations. In a national context with high rates of feminicide and reports of violence, a university team, through a mixed methodology, analyzed the local printed media, conducted a qualitative-quantitative opinion poll on the perception of women in areas with a high incidence of femicides. and they interviewed experts in journalism and gender. The results highlight that, despite being aware of the representation of women as weak and submissive, both citizens and the media do not contribute to changing sociocultural gender patterns. This study reflects on the influence of the media in redefining the gender role in society.