Media Discourse And Gender Stereotypes: Representation Of Women Leaders In Uzbek Journalism

This article examines how female political leaders are represented in Uzbek journalism through the lens of media discourse and gender stereotypes. By analyzing headlines, news reports, and opinion articles from leading Uzbek media platforms such as Kun.uz, Daryo.uz, Gazeta.uz, and Qalampir.uz, the study identifies recurring patterns in the description of women leaders, highlighting the intersection of language, power, and gender. The research employs discourse analysis to uncover implicit stereotypes, unequal representations, and the use of gendered frames that either reinforce or challenge traditional social norms. Furthermore, the article situates the Uzbek case within the broader global debates on gender and media, comparing local findings with international scholarship. The results show that while there is growing visibility of women leaders in the press, their portrayal often remains constrained by cultural stereotypes and linguistic biases, demonstrating the need for more gender-sensitive journalism.