Can Women Benefit from Cyberspace as a Public Space?

Abstract

Public space is part of the public sphere and shares a significant role in the establishment of civil society, developing citizenship, and increasing social inclusion. Women, however, are a disadvantaged group in terms of public space. Similar to public space, cyberspace provides a place of interaction and communication. In this study we have assessed cyberspace’s potential in compensating women’s disadvantages in public space. This research is based on a qualitative analysis of 38 semi-structured interviews. Participants were selected by a theoretical sampling method and sample size was determined by employing a theoretical saturation method. It emerges that women’s circumstances in public space affect their activities in cyberspace. Although cyberspace can help women make considerable gains in citizenship and social inclusion, family limitations, normative limitations, government limitations, and feelings of insecurity are substantial obstacles. Ultimately we determine that establishing a connection between social and virtual life is the most fruitful way to proliferate women’s benefits both in public space and cyberspace.

Keywords: cyberspace, public space, access, social inclusion, citizen, civil society