Opening quotes | Expert sharing | Youth talk | Photo exhibition | Stories | Social media
Gender Inequality in the Media and Entertainment Industries
Sexual objectification is pervasive
The media and entertainment industries bombard us with images that exacerbate society’s objectification of women and young girls˳ They portray them as objects whose desirability depends on their physical appearance and sexuality˳ They create a stereotype of an ideal woman who is “pretty”, thin, voiceless and passive˳
These industries show women and girls in stereotypical and limited roles˳ For example, popular movies usually portray men rather than women in “serious” roles such as attorneys, professors and doctors˳ They assign women with hypersexualized roles, and have them wear sensual attire or appear nude˳
The effects are damaging
Women and girls who compare themselves to these ideals and stereotypes suffer from anxieties about their appearances, feelings of shame, eating disorders, low self-esteem and depression˳ And other people influenced by the media and entertainment industries’ objectification, harass these women and girls with cyberbullying and other forms of harassment˳ A 2015 report by the United Nations Broadband Commission said that almost three-quarters of women online had been exposed to some form of cyber violence˳
If nothing is done about the problem of objectification, women and young girls will continue to suffer every day˳
A global study of female characters in popular films, released in 2014 and partly supported by UN Women, documented deep discrimination and stereotyping of women and girls˳
Said UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka:
“Twenty years ago, 189 governments adopted the Beijing Platform for Action, the international roadmap for gender equality, which called on media to avoid stereotypical and degrading depictions of women˳ Two decades on, this study is a wake-up call that shows that the global film industry still has a long way to go˳ With their powerful influence on shaping the perceptions of large audiences, the media are a key player for the gender equality agenda˳ With influence comes responsibility˳ The industry cannot afford to wait another 20 years to make the right decisions˳”
*”Girls” here is a reference to female idols˳ The derogatory term is used in entertainment business and by consumers in this sector˳
Opening Quotes
Fast Facts
Expert Sharing: An activist raises awareness
An activist raises awareness˳ Watch Jane’s video message of the objectification and cyberbullying issues in the Entertainment Industry˳
Youth Talk: Let’s discuss the problem and solution
Girls Not Objects campaign says youths must take the lead in challenging social norms, objectification, and cyberbullying encouraged by the entertainment industry˳ With the funding of KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency), UN Women creates a virtual space where youth can discuss the issues of objectification and cyberbullying in the entertainment industry˳
In two UN Women videos, Korean and Thai youths discuss how they can change the social norm˳ Korean youth panels talk about the problem and social impact of objectification and cyberbullying with the K-pop cases˳ Thai panels share their opinions on the topic of young people’s contribution to ending objectification and cyberbullying in the entertainment industry˳
Youth Art: Students teach lessons through photos
Girls, Not Objects campaign includes a photo exhibition created by two student groups in Bangkok: IKIGAI, comprising students of the Music and Entertainment Business at Silpakorn University, and Mu Studio, comprising students of Communication Design at Chulalongkorn University˳ The exhibition aims to raise awareness, both among the general public and within the entertainment industry, of how objectification hurts young female entertainers and singers in Thailand˳ The exhibition was featured at a gallery in Bangkok last November˳
Virtual Photo Exhibition “Girls, Not Objects”
Lessons Learned from the Photo Exhibition
Top Stories and Related News
Social Media
Stand with Girls Not Objects Campaign using the hashtag #StopObjectification against objectification and cyberbullying culture˳ A social media package to kick start your advocacy is available here˳
Spread the word about objectification and cyberbullying, and alert your community that women are faced with all kinds of sexist and disrespectful behaviours in public and private places on a daily basis˳
