First off, I have to say that I’m really excited about this discussion post. I’ve been wanting to write about this for a long time because Twitter threads weren’t doing it for me anymore. Maybe it’s because I spent a lot of time watching movies and TV shows during the pandemic, but I started paying more attention to details I wouldn’t notice otherwise. One such thing that stood out to me is the portrayal of women in media (both in terms of lack or representation and misrepresentation). This issue worsens when it comes to women of color, plus-sized women and members of the LGBTQIA+.

Women are grossly underrepresented in media, especially high-budget movies written by men. The fact that Bechdel’s test exists is a testimony to the fact. And even when we are represented, it’s usually as the main lead’s love interest or some other one-dimensional trope with no story or motives of their own, only existing to drive the male lead’s story forward. Women characters are either put on a pedestal (the manic pixie dream girl or the cool girl that challenge the men to be more spontaneous, the devoted girlfriend, the supportive mother), or, sexualized as objects of desire and villainized for their sexuality, ambitiousness (the gold digger, the seductress, the career-driven stuck up) and so on. We are rarely allowed to just exist, as humans, with both flaws and redeeming qualities.

The creators of media are not solely to be blamed for this, the issue exists within the demographic consuming the media as well. We have seen this with the new Star Wars trilogy and Captain Marvel. I am not a personal fan of these movies either, but the criticism (bordering on harassment) these actors got for simply being women was ridiculous. We can also see the disconnect come into play when female characters most women enjoy or relate to, is largely disliked or not as celebrated in mainstream forums. Be it Diane Nyugen from Bojack Horseman, Siobhan Roy from Succession, Fleabag from Fleabag, and many more. Where male characters are applauded for being “morally grey” or “complicated”, women characters are penalized for the same.

One may argue that these aren’t important issues or that things are way better than they were before. However, with the way media plays a significant role in today’s society, it is important it represents its residents. Furthermore, just because it is better does not mean it’s as good as it could be. On the other hand, casting a woman in a historically male character (James Bond, Dr. Who) isn’t the solution. It is a half-assed attempt at making peace. We should be writing better roles for women and striving to make a space where diverse women and non-binary people are represented and appreciated the way they deserve to be.