Identity, Social Media and Politics: How Young Emirati Women Make Sense of Female Politicians in the UAE

Social media offered new opportunities for politicians to engage with
public. However, little research explored public perceptions of women
politicians, and their role in women empowerment, especially in nonWestern
contexts. This study used the qualitative methodology to
explore how young Emirati women made sense of women politicians and
their social media posts. Drawing from the intersectionality theory, the
study looked beyond gender, exploring other identities that may play a
role in Emirati women’s perceptions of female politicians. Results offered
insights into the family and ethnic identity as they interacted with
gender, as well as the personalization of messages in a patriarchal
society. This study contributes to international political communication
research and practice by understanding the complexity of women’s
sense-making of social media and women politicians in a non-Western
context.