THE ROLE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

IN PROMOTING THE CULTURE OF IRAQI

RURAL WOMEN AND EMPOWERING THEM

Dr. Haider Falah Zaeid*

Thi-Qar University, College of Media, Department, journalism.

Haiderfalh91@utq.edu.iq

Noor Kareem Yasir

Thi-Qar University, College of Media, Department, Radio, and T.V.

Dr. Saad Ibrahim Abbas

Thi-Qar University, College of Media, Department, Radio, and T.V.

Reception: 14/11/2022 Acceptance: 15/01/2023 Publication:11/03/2023

Suggested citation:

F.Z., Haider, K.Y., Noor and I.A., Saad (2023). The role of social networking

sites in promoting the culture of Iraqi rural women and empowering

them. 3C TIC. Cuadernos de desarrollo aplicados a las TIC, 12(1), 352-376.

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ABSTRACT

Social networking sites are highly effective in serving the community and empowering

it cognitively and politically because of its impact on its users and visitors through the

information and ideas it provides, mostly free of it without a political, social or

inappropriate agenda, Its goal was to advance the knowledge and scientific aspects of

the visitors of these sites, and this in itself is a positive step, calculated for those in

charge of it.

In his research entitled "The role of social networking sites in promoting the culture of

Iraqi rural women and empowering them, the researcher seeks to identify the role of

social networking sites in serving rural women, and how Iraqi rural women use these

sites, and how it helps them

to communicate with others, and how useful it is for rural women to enhance their

culture and empower them intellectually and politically.

The researcher hopes to discuss the role of social media in the effective

empowerment of rural women in an academic manner through modern and

considered sources, as well as asking a number of questions through the

questionnaire form to Iraqi rural women and identifying the role of social networking

sites in empowering them, in order to reach results that serve the objectives of the

conference and scientific research.

KEYWORDS

Social networking sites, women's culture, women's empowerment, Iraqi rural women.

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PAPER INDEX

ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS

INTRODUCTION

1. THE METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK

1.1. The research problem.

1.2. The importance of research

1.3. Research Objectives

1.4. Research Hypothesis

1.5. Research Methodology and Tools

1.6. Research Limits

1.7. Definition of Terms

1.8. Previous studies

1.8.1. Athamna Study 2017

1.8.2. Study by Halima Lakhal and Rabiha Zaidi 2017

1.9. Commenting on previous studies

2. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.1. The role of social networking sites in the effective empowerment of rural

women

3. SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES AND IRAQI RURAL WOMEN

3.1. Analyzing the results of the questionnaire

3.2. Demographic variables

3.2.1. Age

3.2.2. Marital status

3.2.3. Academic achievement

3.3. The use of social networking sites and its role in the culture and

empowerment of rural women

3.3.1. Use of social networking sites

3.3.2. The most used sites

3.3.3. Extent of use

3.3.4. Tim Average

3.3.5. The role of social networking sites

3.3.6. Developing rural women cognitively and politically

3.3.7. Social networking sites and women’s relationship with their social

environment

3.3.8. The effect of social networking sites

3.3.9. The family’s follow-up of the girls’ use of social networking sites

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3.3.10.The help of social networking sites for women

3.3.11.The reason for using social networking sites

3.3.12.Social networking sites and their contribution to conveying the voice

of women

3.3.13.The nature of using the name on social networking sites

3.3.14.Use of sites and customs in villages and rural areas

3.4. The most important results:

3.5. Recommendations:

REFERENCES

Arabic and translated books

Theses and Dissertations

Published Research

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INTRODUCTION

Today, social networking sites has changed the situation and reality of many

societies after using it and introducing it to the surrounding developed peoples

through this carrier medium, which

helped developing countries, rural women in particular, as a result of the difficult

social situation that this class suffers from, represented by some customs and

traditions that are practiced in Iraqi villages and countryside.

Today, social networking sites have empowered Iraqi rural women and formed their

political and cognitive awareness, and they have become aware of their rights and

practiced them effectively, as is the case of city women, and now we see them in

schools, universities, and jobs after they were deprived of their rights for hundreds of

years as a result of the clan character, in addition to the difficult financial situation that

made them share with men Agriculture and farming business.

Today, websites have become important in the lives of peoples and rural women in

particular at the present time because of their widespread reach, as well as their

attainment of the highest level in achieving the desired goals in the educational,

political, social, economic and cultural aspects of the life of rural women in particular.

The sites are turning point for many societies because of the advantages that these

sites possess that made them play an effective role in the lives of individuals, in

addition to that, these sites have turned the world into a small village in the hands of

its users

1. THE METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK

1.1. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM.

The researcher seeks to know the role of social networking sites for rural women,

and the extent to which social networking sites contribute to the promotion and

development of their culture, as well as identifying their external environment.

Accordingly, the research problem can be formulated with the following main

question: What is the role of social networking sites in promoting the culture of Iraqi

rural women and empowering them?

From this question, several sub-questions emerge:

Do social networking sites contribute to the cultural and political empowerment of

rural women?

2. What are the favorite social networking sites for rural women?

3. Is there an effect of social networking sites on women?

4. What are the reasons for women's use of social networking sites?

5. To what extent do rural women use social networking sites?

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1.2. THE IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH

The importance of the research lies in the importance of the topic that it deals with

(the role of social networking sites in promoting the culture of Iraqi rural women and

empowering them). In addition, this research is one of the pioneering modern

researches in the field of digital media that deals with the issue of Iraqi rural women,

conveying their suffering and highlighting them by communicating voice and to

alleviate their suffering and empower them culturally and politically.

This research is one of the important sources for subsequent research, as it

discusses the issue of social networking sites and its contribution to promoting the

culture of Iraqi rural women, due to the scarcity in this field, according to the

researcher's knowledge, in addition to the novelty of its topic, as it discusses the

variable of social networking sites with rural women.

1.3. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The research aims at the following:

1. To reveal the contribution of social networking sites to the cultural and political

empowerment of rural women.

2. Identifying the favorite social networking sites of rural women.

3. Access to the impact of social networking sites on women.

4. Investigating the reasons for women's use of social networking sites.

5. Detecting the duration of rural women's use of social networking sites.

1.4. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

The research hypotheses that the researcher deduced from the dependence theory

are as follows:

1. Social networking sites enhance the culture of Iraqi rural women and empower

them intellectually and politically.

2. Rural women use social networking sites to communicate and promote their culture.

3. The heavy use of social networking sites affects the relationship of rural women

with their surroundings.

1.5. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND TOOLS

The scientific method is defined as "a set of general rules that define scientific

procedures and mental processes that follow to reach the truth with regard to various

phenomena, whether natural or human ,in the light of the method, it is possible to start

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collecting information and data, classifying and tabulating them, and then analyzing

them in order to formulate the results that the researcher seeks.

The researcher relied on the survey method through the questionnaire form that

was distributed to the respondents, and the survey method used by the researcher "is

considered one of the most prominent approaches used in media curricula to obtain

data and information that target the scientific phenomenon itself.

As for the society, the research was represented by women from Dhi Qar

Governorate who live in villages and rural areas who use social networking sites, and

the researcher relied on the intentional sample to reach only women who use social

networking sites in villages and rural areas closely in order to obtain realistic answers

that we reach the goals of the research, the sample members reached (100)

respondents, the questionnaire was distributed to them.

Among the tools used by the researcher is scientific observation in tracking social

networking sites and identifying techniques that may serve the public when using the

sites, and identifying the negative aspects of social networking sites in order to put

questions about them in the questionnaire and obtain answers that are compatible

with the nature of the use of these sites by the researched sample, as well as this was

used by the researcher in order to determine the main and sub-questions in the

questionnaire that is presented to the researched sample.

The researcher also used the questionnaire form, which included a number of

closed and open questions to obtain information about the role of social networking

sites in promoting the culture of rural women and empowering them, and this is

demographic , scientific and personal information related to social networking sites

and their role in empowering women, before distributing the questionnaires to the

sample, they were presented to a group of experts

, in the field of media, to ensure

the integrity of the questionnaire and its questions, and the extent of their validity, and

it obtained their approval and considered it valid for use and achieving the objectives

of the research

Mohammed Abdul Hamid, Scientiﬁc Research in Media Studies, Cairo, World of Books, 2000, p. 65.

Saad Salman Al-Mashhadani, Media Research Methods, University Book House, United Arab Emirates, 2017,

p. 163.

Prof. Dr. Hadi Flaih Hassan , Faculty of Media , Dhi Qar University, Prof. Dr. Abdul Razzak Al-Dulaimi _ Middle

East University Jordan, Prof. Dr. Assist.-Saad Abdul Rahman Makki _ 8t May h University May Algeria, prof. Dr.

Saad Ibrahim Abbas - College of Media , Dhi Qar University, Prof. Dr. Mohammed Shaker Mahmoud Al-

Shammari_ College of Media, Dhi Qar University.

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1.6. RESEARCH LIMITS

The research limits are as follows:

A. Time limits: The limits in which the research was completed in 2021-2022.

B. Human limits: Women of villages and rural areas in Dhi Qar Governorate.

C. Spatial limits: Iraq, Dhi Qar Governorate.

1.7. DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Social networking sites: It is a set of pages that allow subscribers to subscribe to

it by creating special pages via e-mail and phone number, and then linking it

through an electronic social system with other members.

2. Women's culture:

It means the set of information and ideas that women obtain

through their environment, whether through education and family or through their

external environment, women's culture is an awareness through which they form

multiple cognitive trends.

3. Empowerment:

It is the process by which women are able to gain experience in

various fields in order to be able to manage their affairs in life.

1.8. PREVIOUS STUDIES

1.8.1. ATHAMNA STUDY 2017

The research problem is represented by the following main question: What is the

impact of social networks on the social values of university students?

The objectives of the research centered on identifying the impact of social networks

on the social values of university students, such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube,

and their impact on the system of social values that control individual behavior.

This study falls within the descriptive studies and relied on the descriptive and

survey approach as it is in the process of studying a social phenomenon, and this

Ghazal Maryam and Shaoubi Nour Al-Huda, the impact of social networking sites on the development of

political awareness among university students, an unpublished master's thesis, Kasdi Merbah University -

Ouargla, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Human Sciences, Division: Media and

Communication Sciences, 2014. p.3

Dr. Abdul Ghani Imad, Sociology of Culture, Center for Arab Unity Studies, Beirut, 2006, p. 37.

Ministry of Planning, Central Statistical Agency, The Reality of Rural Women in Iraq, Central Agency Press,

2016, p. 2.

Naziha Athamna: The impact of social networks on the social values of university students, a ﬁeld study on a

sample of students at the University of M’sila, unpublished master’s thesis, Faculty of Humanities and Social

Sciences, Department of Media and Communication Sciences, Mohammed Boudiaf University, M’sila, Algeria,

2017, p. 7.

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requires to analyze, describe and interpret, and its sample was intentional, through

the results of the research, the study showed that the majority of university students

are exposed to social networking sites with a non-selective tradition, without taking

into account the contents they provide that are inconsistent with their established

habits, and this can be explained by their negative role on the system of social values

of university students.

It presents contents that are inconsistent with their established habits, and this can

be explained through its negative role on the system of social values of university

students.

1.8.2. STUDY BY HALIMA LAKHAL AND RABIHA ZAIDI 2017

The research problem revolved around the following question: What is the impact

of the use of social networking sites on family relations, Facebook as a model? The

researchers followed the survey method, and the sample studied was intentional, and

through that, the researchers reached through the results of the field study and

presented its results and analyzed them and reached to the following:

The “Facebook” website is an unlimited field that allows its users to form

relationships and friendships, and opens the way for them to communicate and

interact without moving, which makes them spend most of their time in front of them

without realizing it.

2. Excessive use of the “Facebook” account is an addiction that the individual neglects

his responsibilities at the expense of sitting in front of Facebook.

Social networking sites Facebook has contributed to creating problems within the

family, including the absence of dialogue between husband and wife, forgetting

occasions, and not providing an appropriate family atmosphere.

1.9. COMMENTING ON PREVIOUS STUDIES

The researcher developed only two studies as previous studies for the research,

due to the lack of a study linking the variable of social networking sites and its role in

promoting the culture of women and rural women in particular, according to the limits

of the researcher’s knowledge, therefore, he was satisfied with these two studies,

which he believes are the closest to his topic with the variable of social networking

sites and the impact on society that includes women. definitely a part of the

community.

Halima Lakhal and Rabiha Zaidi: The impact of the use of social networking sites on family relations, Facebook

as a model, an unpublished master's thesis, Zayan Ashour University, Djelfa, Faculty of Humanities and Social

Sciences, Department of Sociology and Demography, 2017.

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2. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.1. THE ROLE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES IN THE

EFFECTIVE EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN

The social networking site plays an important role in empowering people

intellectually and politically because of its cultural, political, social, and economic

content, this content is available permanently and renewed as a result of the

increasing use of these sites by members of society of different scientific disciplines,

as well as the geographical difference of users of social networking sites.

The researchers indicate that the difference in the environment of users of social

networking sites has a leading role in cultural intermarriage between its visitors from

different countries, and informing users of publications that published by scientific

pages and personal pages of experts and intellectuals in various disciplines, making

the pioneers of these sites in full communication with knowledge without restrictions

and barriers, watching scientific experiments in developed countries, and viewing

publications makes the individual of great cultural value that serves him in his daily

and scientific life, which makes him a strong empowered personality.

Social networking sites today are among the main sources in empowering Iraqi

rural women because of its diverse content that is able to stand against discrimination

between men and women on the one hand, and rural women who live in cities on the

other hand, and the sites give women a great role as we see many pages of female

artists and media women have a large and distinguished presence to defend the

rights of rural women and others, to stand up to violence against women, and to work

to take their role naturally in all areas of life, including professional and political

cases .

Social networking sites were characterized by the intensity of confrontation,

enthusiasm, and their diverse style, and their continuing role in broadcasting ideas

and information around the clock, these sites helped women take their role by

providing them with effective methods to promote culture and information in greater

depth, and the ability of mutual interaction between them and the surrounding and

virtual community, today, social networking sites are extremely important in popular

Naziha Athamna: The Impact of Social Media Networks on the Social Values of University Students, A Field

Study on a Sample of University of M'sila Students, Unpublished Master's Thesis, Faculty of Humanities and

Social Sciences, Department of Media and Communication Sciences, Mohammed Boudiaf University, M'sila,

Algeria, 2017.

Halima Lakhal and Rabiha Zaidi, The impact of using social networking sites on family relations, Facebook as

a model, an unpublished master's thesis, Zayan Ashour University, Djelfa, Faculty of Humanities and Social

Sciences, Department of Sociology and Demography, 2017.

Haider Faleh Zayed, The role of advertisements and news on the websites of government institutions to

facilitate the procedures of auditors, "Dhi Qar University as a model", previous source, p. 399.

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circles as a result of her depth and weight because of the great influence the on

society.

These sites are a type of digital media that presents its content in a digital and

interactive form, and depends on the fusion of text, image, video and audio, and can

be accessed through smart phones of all kinds, as well as the computer as its main

mechanism in the production and presentation process. Social networking sites that

help Women and their cognitive empowerment are as follows:

The Internet (Online) and its applications such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,

blogs, chat sites, and e-mail. For the media, it represents the fourth system added

to the three classic systems.

Applications based on various portable tools, including smart phones, personal

digital assistants, and others.

Rural women began to take on their role after they used social networking sites and

entered the virtual world from its widest gates through these sites that have no

restrictions, rural women can be defined as those who live in villages and rural areas,

and who work in those areas that depend on natural resources and agriculture for

their livelihood, and they constitute more than a quarter of the total world population

and in developing countries, and rural women represent about %43 of the agricultural

labor force.

Social networking sites also help women to get to know and open up to all cultures

and customs, especially rural women who live in an atmosphere of (closeness) and

pressure as a result of customs and traditions that prevent them from exercising their

freedom and rituals, as is the case with women in developed cities, therefore, social

networking sites are the appropriate place to express her opinion and personality , It is

also a suitable place to receive cultures and empower them cognitively and politically,

as a result of obtaining information from others, through the various published content

and through communication with scientific, political and academic personalities, elites,

etc. that have accounts on these sites.

In addition, the sites help the individual to enhance his culture, especially rural

women, in shaping their awareness and culture in a large extent due to the diversity of

published content within the corridors of these sites, and the sites help the individual

by making him master of the art of speech, and arranging ideas, phrases, and

sentences frequently, and that makes him able to establishing relationships with those

Abdul Amir Al-Faisal, Studies in Electronic Media, Emirates, University Book House, 2014, p. 124.

Dr.. Bushra Jamil Al-Rawi, The role of social networking sites in change, previous source, pg. 97.

Khalid Walid Mahmoud, Social Networks and the Dynamics of Change in the Arab World, Beirut, Dar Madrak,

2011, p. 85.

Haider Faleh Zayed, The role of advertisements and news on the websites of government institutions to

facilitate the procedures of auditors, "Dhi Qar University as a model", Dhi Qar Journal of Arts, 2018, p. 383

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around him, in addition to that, the sites contribute to the formation of new cultures for

him.

In fact, social networking sites are controversial, due to the overlapping of opinions

and trends in its study, reflecting this concept, and the technical development that

occurred in the use of technology, and it called everything that can be used by

individuals and groups on the giant web as a result of the abundance of information in

it and the diversity of content.

The content on social networking sites is usually characterized by a personal

nature, and is transmitted between two parties, one of whom is a sender and the other

a receiver, through this social medium, with the freedom of the message to the

sender, and the freedom to respond by the receiver, and this is what distinguishes it in

that its user obtains the freedom to receive the information he needs.

These sites are among the new ways for rural women to obtain information,

immunize them, and empower them cognitively and politically, the sites allow rural

women to access diverse groups in which there are individuals of different races and

countries, which allows for the exchange of information in a timely and immediate

manner through interactions and dialogues.

Social networking sites have played a role in empowering rural women because of

the advantages and characteristics that distinguish them from other means, these

characteristics are as follows:

1. Sharing: It allows people to share and comment on the content they follow.

2. Openness:

It helped openness and universality to facilitate the communication of

individuals with others, overcoming all barriers, and exchanging information and

opinions.

3. Conversation:

Allowing for conversation, participation and interaction with the

event, news and provided information.

Amer Ibrahim Qandilji and Hassan Reda Al-Najjar, Information Science, Systems and Technologies, Dar Al-

Masirah for Publishing, Distribution and Printing, Amman, Jordan, 2015, p. 92.

Osama bin Sadiq Tayeb, Knowledge of Social Networks, a series of studies, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi

Arabia, 2012, p. 30.

Dr. Hosni Awad, The impact of social networking sites on the development of social responsibility among

young people, the experience of the Allar Youth Council as a model, Al-Quds Open University, Social and Family

Development Program, 2011, p. 10.

Dr.. Bushra Jamil Al-Rawi, The Role of Social Networking Sites in Change, Media Researcher Magazine, Issue

18, College of Information, University of Baghdad, 2012, p. 96

Dr.. Ibrahim Ahmed Al-Dawy, Social Networks, Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization, 2015, p. 7

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4. Sending messages: It allows sending messages between users with direct or

indirect relationships.

5. Community: Allows local communities to connect with international communities

on common concerns or interests.

6. Groups: It allows the creation of groups of interest under a name and with specific

goals, in what is like a discussion forum on a very large scale.

7. Interdependence: It is a social network that is interconnected with each other

through the connections and links that it provides

In addition, social networking sites are not without negatives and defects for their

users, especially those who are addicted to them, these defects are as follows:

1. Addiction and social isolation: as it is attractive and leads to addiction, which leads

to isolation from society to launch into the virtual society.

2. The emergence of new habits and language among users: The language used in

social networks is understandable only to network users, in addition to the

emergence of slogans and the so-called trend, most of whose content contradicts

societal values.

3. Absence of oversight and some users' lack of responsibility.

4. Spreading false news and inaccurate reporting of events.

5. Lack of privacy that leads to psychological damage and defamation of personalities.

3. SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES AND IRAQI RURAL

WOMEN

3.1. ANALYZING THE RESULTS OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE

This topic includes analyzing the results of the questionnaire distributed to the

sample chosen by the researcher, which is represented by women from villages and

rural areas in Dhi Qar Governorate who use social networking sites closely, the

researcher distributed the questionnaire to (100 women), after fulfilling all scientific

conditions.

The questionnaire, which was distributed on two important axes, included axis one,

the demographic variables of the respondents, and axis two, which included the use

of social networking sites and its role in the culture and empowerment of rural women.

The results showed in the following:

Ghazal Maryam and Shaoubi Nour Al-Huda, the impact of social networking sites on the development of

political awareness among university students, an unpublished master's thesis, University of Kasdi Merbah -

Ouargla, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Human Sciences, Department of Media and

Communication Sciences, 2014, p.3.

Amer Ibrahim Qandilji, Electronic Media, Dar Al Masirah, Jordan, Amman, 2017, p. 68.

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3.2. DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES

3.2.1. AGE

Table 1. shows the distribution of sample members according to age.

The results of the above table indicate that the percentage of the respondents

differed according to age, as it was for the age group (18-27 years) with (82)

repetitions, with a rate of (%82), and for the age group (28-37 years) with (12)

repetitions, with a rate of (%12) and for the age group (38-47 years) with (6)

repetitions at a rate of (6%), and for the age group (48-57 years) with (0) repetitions at

a rate of (0%), and for the age group (58 years and over) with (0) repetitions at a rate

of (0%). We conclude from this that the age group (18-28) is the highest and most

uses social networking sites, being the most open and understanding of the

questionnaire matters, reading and writing, and has knowledge in social networking

sites, see Figure (1).

3.2.2. MARITAL STATUS

Table 2. shows the distribution of sample members according to marital status.

The percentage of the respondents varied according to the marital status, as it

came to a single paragraph with a rate of (78) repetitions at a rate of (%78), for a

married woman at a rate of (20) repetitions at a rate of (%20), a widow with a rate of

(0) repetitions at a rate of (%0), and a separated woman at a rate of (0). repetitions

Question Category Repetition Ratio

Age?

From (18-27) 82 82 %

From (28-37) 12 12 %

From (38-47) 6 6 %

From (48 - 57) 0 0 %

(58 - and above) 0 0 %

Total 100 100 %

Question Category Repetition Ratio

Marital status?

Single 78 78 %

Married 20 20 %

Widow 0 0 %

Discrete 0 0 %

Divorced 2 2 %

Total 100 100 %

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(%0), and divorced women (2) repetitions at a rate of (2%). We infer from this that

unmarried women are the most frequent users of social networking sites as a result of

the lack of family and social obligations, see Figure (2).

3.2.3. ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Table 3. shows the distribution of sample members according to academic achievement.

The results of the above table show that the percentage of respondents for the

reading and writing category is (3) repetitions at a rate of (%3%), for a primary

category at (1) repetitions at a rate of (%1), for a secondary category at (20)

repetitions at a rate of (%20), and for a bachelor’s category at (( 74) repetitions, at a

rate of (%74), and for the category of higher degrees, at a rate of (2) repetitions, at a

rate of (%2). It becomes clear that the higher percentage of the sample are educated

and holders of certificates, and this is a good indication that the answers are realistic

as a result of the educational level of the respondents, see Figure (3).

3.3. THE USE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES AND ITS ROLE

IN THE CULTURE AND EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL

WOMEN

3.3.1. USE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

Table 4. shows the use of social networking sites.

The results of Table (4) showed that the percentage of the sample that uses social

networking sites often is (86) repetitions (%86), sometimes (12) repetitions with the

Question

Category

Repetition

Ratio

Academic achievement?

Read and write

3 %

Primary

1 %

secondary school

20 %

Bachelor's degree

74 %

Postgraduate degrees

2 %

Total

100

100 %

Question Category Repetition Ratio

Do you use social

networking sites?

Often 86 86 %

Sometimes 12 12 %

Rarely 2 2 %

Total 100 100 %

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rate of (12%), and rarely (2) repetitions (2%). We conclude from this that the sample

uses social networking sites at a very high rate, and this gives us a good indication

that the answers of the respondents are accurate, stemming from an understanding of

this communication medium and its importance and identifying its positives and

negatives.

3.3.2. THE MOST USED SITES

Table 5. shows the most used sites by the sample

The results of the above table show that the most used sites by the researched

sample were for the Facebook category with (8) repetitions, with a rate of (%8), for

Twitter, with (0) repetitions, with a rate of (%0), and for Instagram with (82) repetitions,

with a rate of (%82). For TikTok, with (3) repetitions, with a rate of (%3), for YouTube,

with (7) repetitions, with a rate of (%7), and for other sites with (0) repetitions, with a

rate of (%0). It is clear from this that women use Instagram more than other websites

as a result of its content, which abounds in pictures, short clips, and offers of

cosmetics and accessories, and this is what women prefer, whether in the countryside

or the city.

3.3.3. EXTENT OF USE

Table 6. shows the extent to which the respondents use social media

The results of the above table indicate that the researched sample uses social

networking sites once a day at (1) repetitions at a rate of (%1), more than once a day

at (52) repetitions at a rate of (%52), and daily throughout the week at a rate of (47)

Question Category Repetition Ratio

Which of your most

used sites?

Facebook 8 8 %

Twitter 0 0 %

Instagram 82 82 %

Tik Tok 3 3 %

YouTube 7 7 %

Others 0 0 %

The total 100 100 %

Question Category Repetition Ratio

How much do you use

social networking

sites?

Once daily 1 1 %

More than once a day 52 52 %

Daily all week 47 47 %

Total 100 100 %

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repetitions at a rate of ( %47), and we infer from that the researched sample who use

social networking sites a lot.

3.3.4. TIM AVERAGE

Table 7. shows the time average spent by the sample on the use of social networking sites

The results of the above table show that the sample spends time using social

networking sites for less than an hour a day, at a rate of (4) repetitions, at a rate of

(%4), and from (1-3) hours a day at a rate of (11) repetitions, at a rate of (%11), and

from (4-6) hours a day with (10) repetitions, at a rate of (10%), and more than 6 hours

per day, at a rate of (17) repetitions, at a rate of (%17), according to free time, at a

rate of (58) repetitions, at a rate of (%58), and we conclude from this that the sample

follows social networking sites when free time without specific time .

3.3.5. THE ROLE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

Table 8. shows the sample's opinion of social networking sites in promoting women's culture

The results of the above table indicate that the researched sample believes that

there is a role for social networking sites in promoting the culture of rural women and

empowering them for the category of yes by (75) repetitions (75%), for the category of

No by (2) repetitions by (%2), and for the sometimes category by (23). ) repetitions

and by (%23), we infer from the results of table (9) that social networking sites have a

role in promoting the culture of rural women and empowering them, this result is a

good indication of the importance of the research topic, and the extent to which it was

chosen accurately, and these sites were defined by the researchers as a group of

pages that allow subscribers to participate in it by creating special pages via email

Question Category Repetition Ratio

How much time do

you spend using

social networking

sites?

Less than an hour a day 4 4 %

From 1-3 hours per day 11 11 %

From 4-6 hours 10 10 %

More than 6 hours 17 17 %

According to free time 58 58 %

Total 100 100 %

Question Category Repetition Ratio

Do you think there is a role

for social networking sites in

promoting the culture of

rural women and

empowering them?

Yes 75 75 %

No 2 2 %

Sometimes 23 23 %

Total 100 100 %

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and phone number, and then linking it through an electronic system with other

members, and the researcher agrees With this definition, what he sees is identical to

the use way of social networking sites.

3.3.6. DEVELOPING RURAL WOMEN COGNITIVELY AND

POLITICALLY

Table 9. shows the opinion of the sample on social networking sites to empower women

cognitively and politically

The results of the above table indicate that social networking sites have a role in

empowering rural women cognitively and politically, according to the opinion of the

sample, by (70) frequency, by (70%), and those who do not see social networking

sites as a role, according to the sample, by (2) repetitions, by (2%), and for the

category sometimes by (27) repetitions at a rate of (70%), and we discern from that

that social networking sites are of great importance in shaping knowledge and

empowering women politically, and empowering women cognitively and politically

means a set of information and ideas that women obtain through their environment,

whether through education and the family or through her external environment, and

the culture of women, is an awareness through which she forms multiple cognitive

directions . It is the process by which women become able to acquire experiences in

various fields in order to be able to manage their affairs in life .

Question Category Repetition Ratio

Does social networking sites

have a role in empowering

rural women cognitively and

politically?

Yes 70 70 %

No 2 2 %

Sometimes 27 27 %

Total 100 100 %

Abbas Mustafa Sadiq, New Media Concepts, Methods and Applications, Dar Al-Shorouk for Publishing and

Printing, 2008, p. 218.

Dr. Abdul Ghani Imad, Sociology of Culture, Center for Arab Unity Studies, Beirut, 2006, p. 37.

Ministry of Planning, Central Statistical Agency, The Reality of Rural Women in Iraq, Central Agency Press,

2016, p. 2.

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3.3.7. SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES AND WOMEN’S

RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT

Table 10. shows the sample's opinion of social networking sites and the woman's relationship

with her social environment

The results of the above table of social networking sites show an impact on the

relationship of rural women with their social environment for Yes category with (47)

repetitions and at a rate of (%47), for the No category with (15) repetitions with a rate

of (15%), and for the sometimes category with (38) repetitions with a rate of (%38) ,we

conclude that social networking sites have an impact on women's relationship with

their social environment as a result of addiction to these sites.

3.3.8. THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

Table 11. Shows the impact of social networking sites on rural women

The results of the above table show that social networking sites have a positive

effect with a rate of (70) repetitions, with a rate of (70%), and a negative effect with a

rate of (12) repetitions, with a rate of (12%). This result shows that social networking

sites have a positive impact on rural women.

Question Category Repetition Ratio

Is there an effect of social

networking sites on rural

women's social relationship

with their surroundings?

Yes 47 47 %

No 15 15 %

Sometimes 38 38 %

Total 100 100 %

Question Category Repetition Ratio

What is the impact of social

networking sites on rural

women?

Positive 70 70 %

Negative 12 12 %

I don't know 18 18 %

Total 100 100 %

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3.3.9. THE FAMILY’S FOLLOW-UP OF THE GIRLS’ USE OF

SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

Table 12. shows the opinion of the sample regarding the follow-up of girls in the use of social

sites or not.

The results of the above table indicate that the sample encourages the Iraqi

families to follow- up girls when using social networking sites for the Yes category with

a rate of (71) repetitions, and a rate of (71%), and those who do not encourage the

follow-up of girls and a category of No with a rate of (29) repetitions, and a rate of

(29%), and for the category of I do not know (0) repetitions, and at a rate of (0%). We

discern from this that there is a danger when girls use social networking sites,

according to what the sample indicated that it is necessary to follow up on girls’ use of

social networking sites.

3.3.10.THE HELP OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES FOR WOMEN

Table 13. shows the help of social networking sites for rural women.

The above results showed that social networking sites help rural women to learn

about the outside world and their surroundings by (86) repetitions,, with a rate of

(%86), and for a category that did not help, by (2) repetitions,, by (2%), and those who

do not know from the sample by (12) repetitions, at a rate of (12%), and we are

guided by that social networking sites have a role in informing rural women of their

external environment, as a result of the wide spread of social networking sites and its

importance in all surrounding countries, which made its content diverse and its users

knowledgeable.

Question Category Repetition Ratio

Do you encourage Iraqi

families to follow girls when

using social networking

sites?

Yes 71 %71%

No 29 29 %

I don't know 0 0 %

Total 100 100 %

Question Category Repetition Ratio

Did social networking sites help

rural women to see the world

around them and the outside?

Helped 86 86 %

Didn't help 2 2 %

I don't know 12 12 %

Total 100 100 %

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3.3.11. THE REASON FOR USING SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES

Table 14. Shows the reasons for the sample's use of social networking sites

The results of the above table indicate that the reasons for the researched sample’s

use of social networking sites are for the category of communication with friends with

a rate of (78) repetitions, with a rate of (%27.73), and for the category of leisure and

entertainment, with a (62) repetitions, with a rate of (%21.91), and for the category of

getting to know new people with a rate of (19). repetitions with (%6.17), and for the

category of obtaining news by (44) repetitions, with (%15.60), and for the category to

promote the culture of the sample and its political empowerment by (42) repetitions,

with (%14.84), and for the category of viewing the latest cosmetics and accessories

by (37) ) repetitions, at a rate of (%13.12), and we infer from that the use of social

networking sites by the researched sample is multi-use, the most important of which is

to communicate with friends.

3.3.12.SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES AND THEIR

CONTRIBUTION TO CONVEYING THE VOICE OF WOMEN

Table 15. shows the extent to which communication sites contribute to conveying the voice of

rural women and their suffering.

Through the above results, social networking sites contribute to conveying the

voice of rural women and their suffering by (79) repetitions, at a rate of (79%), and

these sites did not contribute to convey of their voice by (17) repetitions, at a rate of

(17%), and for a category, the sites sometimes contribute by (4) repetitions, at a rate

Question Category Repetition Ratio

What are the reasons for your use

of social networking sites? You can

choose more than one alternative.

To communicate with friends 78 % 27.73

For leisure and

entertainment

62 % 21.91

To get to know new people 19 % 6.17

To get the news 44 % 15.60

To enhance my culture and

empower me politically

42 %14.84

To view the latest cosmetics

and accessories

37 % 13.12

Total 282 100 %

Question Category Repetition Ratio

Did social networking sites

contribute to the voice of

rural women and their

suffering?

Yes 79 79 %

No 17 17 %

sometimes 4 4 %

Total 100 100 %

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of (4%), we can see from this that social networking sites contribute greatly to

conveying women's voice and suffering.

3.3.13.THE NATURE OF USING THE NAME ON SOCIAL

NETWORKING SITES

Table 16. shows the nature of the use of name by the sample in social networking sites

The above results indicate that the researched sample uses the real name on

social networking sites with a rate of (72) repetitions, at a rate of (%72), and those

who use a pseudonym at a rate of (28) repetitions, with (%28), and we infer from that

that the largest percentage uses the real name, and this indicates on the acceptance

of women's use of social networking sites in rural areas.

3.3.14.USE OF SITES AND CUSTOMS IN VILLAGES AND RURAL

AREAS

Table 17. shows the sample's use of sites and the extent to which the rural community

accepts it.

The results of the above table show that the use of social networking sites in rural

areas is considered by some to violate customs and traditions by (6) repetitions, and

those who consider that the use of sites did not constitute a violation of traditions by

(58) repetitions, with a rate of (%58), and for sometimes category by (36) )

repetitions , with a rate of (%36), and we infer from that that the use of websites is no

longer in violation of customs and traditions by rural women.

3.4. THE MOST IMPORTANT RESULTS:

The age group (18-28) topped the researched sample with a rate of (%82), and in

the marital status, the single category topped the other categories, and its

Question Category Repetition Ratio

Do you use social

networking sites by name?

Frank 72 72 %

Borrowed 28 28 %

Total 100 100 %

Question Category Repetition Ratio

Does the use of social

networking sites by women

violate the customs and

traditions in your regions

and affect their reputation?

Yes 6 6 %

No 58 58 %

sometimes 36 36 %

Total 100 100 %

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percentage was (%78), and in academic achievement, the percentage of bachelors

was (%74) of other certificates.

2. The sample uses social networking sites with (%86), and it is considered a heavy

use of social sites.

3. The sample mentioned that they use Instagram with (%82), among other sites.

4. The sample confirmed that they use social networking sites more than once a day

at a rate of (%52), and throughout the week daily at a rate of (%47).

5. The sample showed that the rate of using social networking sites according to free

time was (%58).

6. The sample stated that social networking sites have a role in promoting the culture

of rural women and empowering them by (%75).

7. The sample confirmed that social networking sites have a role in empowering rural

women cognitively and politically at a rate of (%70).

8. The results revealed that there is an impact of social networking sites on rural

women's social relationship with their surroundings by (47%).

9. The results showed that the impact of social networking sites on rural women was

positive with (%70).

10.The results showed that the sample encourages Iraqi families to follow girls when

using social networking sites with (%71).

11.The results showed that social networking sites helped rural women to learn about

the surrounding and outside world with (%86).

12.The results revealed that the reasons for the sample's use of social networking

sites to communicate with friends with (%27.73).

13.The sample confirmed that social networking sites contributed to conveying the

voice of rural women and their suffering by (79%).

14.The sample mentioned that they use the real name in their personal accounts on

social networking sites with (%72).

15.The sample indicated that the use of social networking sites by women is contrary

to the customs and traditions of villages and rural areas and does not affect their

reputation with (%58).

3.5. RECOMMENDATIONS:

According to the results of the research, the researcher recommends the following:

1. Developing social networking sites in terms of form and content to be in line with

the aspirations of rural women.

2. Monitoring publications on social media that call for violence against women and

rural women in particular.

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3. Stopping the racial discrimination between men and women that is being raised on

social networking sites.

Paying attention to the contents of social networking sites and making them more

targeted and focused to serve rural women and to promote their culture and to

develop and empower them intellectually and politically, since rural women follow

social networking sites closely.

Follow-up of Iraqi families of young girls when using social networking sites

because of their great influence on this class, as a result of the presence of

undisciplined posts on it.

Do not use social networking sites all the time, as they cause addiction and social

isolation.

REFERENCES

ARABIC AND TRANSLATED BOOKS

(1) Mahmoud, K. W. (2011). Social Networks and the Dynamics of Change in the

Arab World. Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Madrak.

(2) Al-Dawy, I. A. (2015). Social Networks, Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross

Organization.

(3) Imad, A. G. (2006). Sociology of Culture. Beirut, Lebanon: Center for Arab

Unity Studies.

(4) Al-Mashhadani, S. S. (2017). Media Research Methods. United Arab

Emirates: University Book House.

(5) Qandilji, A. I., & Al-Najjar, H. R. (2015). Information Science, Systems and

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and Printing.

(6) Qandilji, A. I. (2017). Electronic Media. Amman, Jordan: Dar Al Masirah.

(7) Sadiq, A. M. (2008). New Media Concepts, Methods and Applications. Dar

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(8) Al-Faisal, A. A. (2014). Studies in Electronic Media. United Arab Emirates:

University Book House.

(9) Abdul Hamid, M. (2000). Scientific Research in Media Studies. Cairo, Egypt:

World of Books.

THESES AND DISSERTATIONS

(10) Awad, H. (2011). The impact of social networking sites on the development

of social responsibility among young people, the experience of the Allar

Youth Council as a model. Al-Quds Open University, Social and Family

Development Program.

(11) Maryam, G., & Shaoubi, N. A. (2014). The impact of social networking sites

on the development of political awareness among university students

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[Unpublished master's thesis]. Kasdi Merbah University-Ouargla, Faculty of

Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Human Sciences, Department

of Media and Communication Sciences.

(12) Athamna, N. (2017). The Impact of Social Media Networks on the Social

Values of University Students, A Field Study on a Sample of University of

M’sila Students [Unpublished master's thesis]. Faculty of Humanities and Social

Sciences, Department of Media and Communication Sciences, Mohamed

Boudiaf University, M’sila, Algeria.

(13) Lakhal, H., & Zaidi, R. (2017). The impact of using social networking sites on

family relations, Facebook as a model [Unpublished master's thesis]. Zayan

Ashour University, Djelfa, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences,

Department of Sociology and Demography.

PUBLISHED RESEARCH

(14) Ministry of Planning, Central Statistical Agency. (2016). The reality of rural

women in Iraq. Central Agency Press.

(15) Tayeb, O. B. S. (2012). Knowledge of social networks: A series of studies.

King Abdulaziz University.

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Researcher Magazine, (18), College of Information, University of Baghdad.

(17) Zayed, H. F. (2018). The role of advertisements and news on the websites of

government institutions to facilitate the procedures of auditors, “Dhi Qar

University as a model”. Dhi Qar Journal of Arts.

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