This roundtable aims to create a space for discussion around how TV fiction on streaming platforms play an important role in representing gender violence throughout the globe. Video on demand OTT services have altered distribution and consumption of televised content and challenged stereotypes. The discussion aims to probe into the global and local contexts of audiovisual production in a context of oppression and gender injustice in the Global South.

The notion of Global South denotes regions often politically or culturally marginalized to replace terms such as Third World and Periphery and it includes regions of Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Many countries from the Global South have media and entertainment industries with considerable influence on popular culture and society. Thus, the narratives that circulate worldwide through digital technology can challenge the notion of universality within portrayal of gender in episodic formats.

With regards to gender equality and violence against women, the increase in representations of various forms of violence may raise awareness about the roles women may play on society, toxic relationships, women rights, and so on. In this sense, we bring questions such as: does the circulation of audiovisual products work as a marker for cultural heterogeneity? Are streaming fictional series enriching the audiovisual scenario or are they becoming homogeneous and formulaic? And how does that apply to the representation of gender injustice? Does cultural exchange enhance awareness or reinforce stereotypes?

This proposal is also a call for visibility of works produced in the Global South and an invitation for the collaboration of more researchers from all continents who may be interested these themes.