/library/oar/handle/123456789/4444 2025-11-07T04:29:57Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/100794 Title: Perceptions of teenagers on media images of women Abstract: This assignments looks into the perceptions of media images of women with an emphasis on how these perception may objectify women. This overview was carried out by the use of various websites, books and other reports and printed material available on the subject. A qualitative small-scale design is used as data is gathered by the use of unstructured interviews with women within the media field, together with focus groups held with teenagers. A thematic analysis is made after all the data had been gathered. Description: DIP.SOC.STUD. 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/100623 Title: How do young female Muslim University students feel perceived by Maltese society and fellow students? Abstract: This long essay aims to explore the experiences that young female Muslim university students encounter during their academic life. Particular attention is given to the cultural, social, academic and religious aspect that life amongst such a declared Roman Catholic environment presents to this small segment of Maltese society. A qualitative methodological approach was adopted using semi-structured interviews among nine female Muslim university students of various nationalities. Findings disclose that similarities in environmental, cultural and familial ethical values are the main attributes to aid these young female Muslim university students adapt quickly to life in the Maltese Islands. However, certain cultural barriers coupled with a general lack of public knowledge on Islamic culture prohibit these youths from integrating fully into Maltese society. Ignorance produces fear which leads to discrimination and social exclusion. Increased public awareness on Islamic culture could rectify and enrich the lives of Muslims living in Maltese society. Description: DIP.SOC.STUD. 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/100395 Title: Women in the diplomatic service Abstract: Diplomacy can improve through gender-friendly measures that lead to an equal participation by women and men. Yet, gender parity is still a long way ahead. This research is aimed at highlighting the remaining impediments faced by women in their career advancement in the Foreign Service. My research focuses on the challenges that women diplomats generally face while in the Foreign Service. It discusses gender differences in the workplace and why women find it difficult to compete with male colleagues. It explains how personal life impacts career choices in diplomacy and the obstacles females are encountering in this area, particularly, when children are present. It delves into family issues, including the role played by a diplomatic spouse and how status impacts the diplomatic career, often leading to marriage breakups. The research refers particularly to the Maltese context discussing the role of politics in this sphere and how this influences some ambassadorial appointments. One recommends encouraging the governments to ensure balanced representation of both women and men in the diplomatic service and help female diplomats to reconcile their diplomatic careers with their private lives. Amongst other recommendations, one mentions implementing flexibility in employment status, providing adequate facilities to working mothers, facilitating access to diplomatic education for women and reinforcing the role of women in the activities of international organizations. Above all, one recommends devising of effective strategies to involve both men and women in the international and national efforts to achieve equality to combat stereotypes and overcome obstacles. Description: DIP.SOC.STUD. 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/100359 Title: The relation between empowerment and gender in the banking sector Abstract: These last few decades have seen an increase of women in the world of work. Women have progressed steadily in education, thus acquiring good jobs and moving up the levels of organisational hierarchies. However, the top ranking jobs still remain widely dominated by men. This study investigates gender disparity by conducting a qualitative research in a local financial institution. Eight semi-structured interviews were carried out in order to shed light on the main encumbrances behind this phenomenon. This study inspects the consequences derived from stereotypes, the responsibilities and problems related to dual work, the reasons for being surpassed in promotion, women who have actually managed in shattering the glass ceiling, sex segregation and finally women's self-esteem in relation to work. The participants believed that their motherly role could never be reversed on to the father. Stereotypes are so deeply ingrained that sex segregation seemed to be invisible to all the participants. All the interviewees argued that holding a job served to maintain their self-esteem, despite the injustices that some claimed to have suffered. A number of recommendations were proposed in order to try to alleviate the subtle sexism at the place of work. These include the carrying out of gender discrimination awareness campaigns both through education and media, and the appointment of an existing employee to monitor the level of subtle sexism at the place of work. Description: DIP.SOC.STUD. 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z