Visual representations of women activists in the Akbelen protests: Challenging gender norms and corporate exploitation through digital media

Abstract

This study examines the visual representation of women activists in the Akbelen protests in Türkiye, focussing on images and videos shared on X (formerly Twitter) under the hashtag #AkbelenDokunma. Using qualitative content analysis, it explores how digital media constructs narratives about women’s roles in activism, particularly in challenging traditional gender norms. Drawing on Stuart Hall’s theory of representation, the study analyses how these visual portrayals encode meanings that influence public perceptions of women’s agency in environmental movements. The findings reveal a dual narrative in the representation of women activists. While many images depict women as leaders in environmental resistance, actively advocating for conservation and social justice, others portray them as passive victims, emphasising their emotional vulnerability, distress, and powerlessness. This contradiction reflects broader gendered media biases, where women’s activism is acknowledged but often framed through narratives of suffering rather than empowerment. These representations shape public perceptions of gender roles in activism, influencing how women’s resistance is understood and valued. This research contributes to the growing literature on digital activism, gender, and environmental movements, emphasising the role of social media in contesting and reinforcing dominant narratives. Additionally, it addresses gaps in existing research on the representation of women activists in digital media, offering new insights into how visual media both empowers and constrains women’s activism, particularly in the context of environmental justice and gender equality.