Gender equality concept of the #GirlsCan hashtag in the film Wadjda: A semiotic study of Roland Barthes

Muna, Nadya Nailatul and Basid, Abdul ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9919-421X (2025) Gender equality concept of the #GirlsCan hashtag in the film Wadjda: A semiotic study of Roland Barthes. Jurnal Pembelajaran Bahasa dan Sastra, 4 (6). pp. 1859-1868. ISSN 28095367

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Abstract

The issue of gender equality continues to receive attention in the media because it is able to represent social reality and shape public opinion in various parts of the world. This issue of gender equality is particularly contained in films that highlight the struggles of women in the patriarchal culture of Saudi Arabia. This study aims to reveal the representation of gender equality in Wadjda through Roland Barthes's semiotic approach with a focus on the hashtag #GirlsCan. The method used in this study is a descriptive qualitative method. Through this method, various films in the patriarchal culture of Saudi Arabia were used as research objects. Research data were collected using nonparticipatory observation guidelines of film scenes. Research data were analyzed based on denotation, connotation, and ideology. The results of the study show that objects such as bicycles, saving money, making crafts, public speaking, and receiving awards imply the ideology of gender equality. The symbols of gender equality issues emphasize women's ability to overcome social limitations, manage their lives, build independence, achieve achievements, and assert their existence in the public sphere. The film Wadjda plays a role not only as a work of art, but also as a medium for social criticism and a catalyst for discourse on women's empowerment, in line with the message of #GirlsCan.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Keywords:	gender equality; film; semiotics study
Subjects:	20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2002 Cultural Studies > 200205 Culture, Gender, Sexuality
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities > Department of Arabic Language and Letters
Depositing User:	Abdul Basid
Date Deposited:	26 May 2026 15:52

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