Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2018

Department

Social Justice and Community Engagement

Department

Social Justice and Community Engagement

Abstract

The research seeks to bring awareness to how online discourse on Twitter can contribute to the reinforcement of unequal power relations against female electoral candidates. This project is a discourse analysis of gender perceptions of the 2018 Progressive Conservative Leadership Race and the 2018 provincial election as portrayed on Twitter. Using understandings of Liberal Feminism and Intersectionality, this project demonstrates the struggle of gender discrimination against women in political life and attempts to recognize the efforts of women attempting to shatter the glass ceiling. The findings suggest female candidates experienced Twitter as a gendered and bullying platform, while male candidates were shown an underlying value for “maleness.” The purpose of the study was to raise awareness of the realities facing female candidates and politicians who are women both on and off Twitter. This research added to the discussion of women in politics, media, and gender.

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