The Portrayal of Women’s Empowerment in Modern Media Productions

Abstract The portrayal of women’s empowerment in Lebanese media productions reflects a complex interplay of cultural dynamics and societal norms. The main objective of this study is to examine how Lebanese media productions portray the idea of women’s empowerment and the characteristics they give to their female lead roles. Content analysis is used to identify several topics and specific situations under themes specifically taken from The Empowerment Theory in two Lebanese drama series: “Khamse wa Noss” (2019) and “Salon Zahra” (2021). The three main themes are social empowerment, economic empowerment and political empowerment. The portrayal of female leads in both series offers a compelling case study of the complexities of women’s empowerment within a patriarchal context. The women’s economic, social and political achievements are juxtaposed with substantial disempowerment, reflecting the ongoing influence of traditional gender roles. This nuanced depiction prompts a critical analysis of how media narratives can both challenge and perpetuate gender inequalities, emphasizing the need for continued scrutiny of gender portrayals in Lebanese dramas.