This cartoon refers to a city council proposal to make Makokoba township into a historical site. It shows a caricature of a woman with particularly her bust and thighs emphasised.
The cartoon may be used to:
show subtle stereotypes in cartoons
show how women are portrayed in cartoons
show instances where women’s physical attributes are emphasised more than their brains and capabilities
show instances where women are portrayed in inferior positions and as if their main role is to please and entertain men.
Training notes
Some previous research has shown that women who appear in the media are shown more for their physical make up more than their capabilities. While the trends are changing, the cartoon shows that this scenario has not completely changed. Although cartoons are intended to be caricatures, gender balance should also be shown even in cartoons. Cartoons are a good example where the media perpetuate stereotypes.
Discussion Questions:
Discuss the message being communicated by the cartoon.
Discuss how women are portrayed in the cartoon?
Why are women’s physical attributes emphasised in the media?
Why is the woman in the cartoon associated with shebeens?
Discuss how cartons can be used to show gender balance.
If positions were to be changed and if a picture of a man was used in place of the woman, would the cartoon have the same meaning and impact?
Training Exercises
Ask participants to identify other cartoons that emphasise women’s physical attributes and discuss why this is so?
Ask participants to design gender sensitive cartoons.
🎙 Podcast launched! Gender Links Mauritius has launched Voices Unmuted – a bold new podcast for honest, unfiltered conversation amplifying too often silenced voices. 🔗 Read more: https://t.co/huUNhb5hRShttps://t.co/xy0G5kwLCp
Don’t miss out! Apply today and be seen. Be supported. Be powerful. Submissions close on 30 June 2025 at 23:59hrs, SAST. No extensions. No late applications. Apply at https://t.co/uuoUTicm6Ehttps://t.co/Eh7oviGPK6
💻 Powering Feminist Action Through Digital Tools! RWVL Grantees & invited partners can join this dynamic Learning and Support Hub. 🗓 Date: 3 July 2025 🕙 Time: 10:00–12:00 SAST 👉 If you're a grantee, register here: https://t.co/XkWw1oFlPihttps://t.co/9tqoNIqeKG
📢Only 4 days left to submit! Be sure to include ALL important documents and files and meet the stated closing time, 23:59hrs (SAST) on the 30 June 2025. Apply at: https://t.co/uuoUTicm6Ehttps://t.co/ZqWTWcQFiW
A review of local authorities’ 2024 revenue collection increased marginally in urban local authorities from 54% in 2023 to 58%, while in rural local authorities it increased from 61% in 2023 to 67% in 2024.@MoLGPWZim@DiakoniaAfrica@SwedeninZW@alzvar12https://t.co/IlMpoVhwME
Comment on Half price