In the wake of recent developments during the Arab Spring and its intense media coverage, a deceivingly straightforward question arose; Where are the women?  Although women actually played a pivotal role in every country during its transition period, they were still widely portrayed as “victims” or “sexual objects”, leaving to men the role of the “leader”, the “hero” or the “expert”. 

EMHRN’s gender media guide’s ambitious aim is to correct this misconception by bringing to light a more gender balanced media coverage of women in transition countries.

A new university course focusing on women, Islam and media has become the first module in the UK to explore honour crimes and arranged marriage. The lectures, offered by the University of East Anglia (UEA), will begin this week, with 15 students having already enrolled. The syllabus also offers to cover veil wearing and how such Islamic traditions are portrayed across film, TV, advertising and other media.