Digital Spaces and the Shifting Paradigm of Women's Persona: A Case Study of Qandeel Baloch's Online Image

Abstract

This research paper explores into the complex dynamics surrounding the representation of women's persona in the digital age, particularly within the realms of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, and online comments. Through a comprehensive analysis of the online images of Qandeel Baloch, a prominent figure in the online sphere, this was investigated that the ways in which these images are appropriated and manipulated. This study is firmly rooted in a gender perspective, enabling to contextualize the objectification of these images within the broader discussions of masking, the gaze, and power structures within society. By examining the digital spaces where women's identities are crafted and shared, further this paper sheds light on the evolving landscape of women's persona representation, offering insights into the complexities of their portrayal and the societal implications therein. This study is firmly grounded in a gender-oriented perspective, underscoring the significant role of gender dynamics in shaping these online representations. In doing so, the research endeavors to provide a contextual understanding of how these images are objectified and the broader consequences of this objectification, particularly in the context of concealing one's true self, the act of observing, and societal power structures. The study is particularly concerned with how these digital spaces serve as the arena for crafting and sharing women's identities, thereby shedding light on the continuously evolving landscape of women's identity representation.