Exploring the Experiences and Practices of Arab Female Cartoonists

Editorial cartoons frequently challenge conventional representational norms with the aim of defying expectations, critiquing prevailing views, persuading audiences, or offering alternative perspectives. This research investigates the experiences and creative practices of Arab female cartoonists, focusing particularly on how they navigate the intricate social, cultural, and political contexts of their work. Central to this study are the key factors that shape these experiences, which include the influence of patriarchal discourse in both the political and social domains, gender relations, and various forms of censorship, including self-censorship.

This enquiry employs a diverse methodological approach that incorporates interviews, case studies, autoethnography, and visual analysis of selected cartoons to reflect these cartoonists’ various approaches within their respective social and political environments. My dual role as both an Arab female cartoonist and a researcher provides a unique perspective on this topic, thereby enriching the study’s depth.

Academic resources on this topic are notably scarce, highlighting the need for increased research into and dissemination of knowledge about Arab female cartoonists. A more comprehensive understanding of the contexts in which they operate and the factors that influence their work may assist the Arab female artists of future generations in discovering their authentic voices and establishing their place within the intellectual and cultural landscape.