TOW #13- Visual Text

   Some countries more than others are still facing inequality among genders.  A current widespread issue being discussed are the women living under Sharia Law, restricted from doing everyday tasks like driving.  In the following UN Women advertisement, strong composition of the visual and relevancy to the modern world contribute to spread awareness of women's oppression that is occurring all around the world.
     A combination of the close-up camera shot and the placement of text come together to create an extremely powerful advertisement.  The effect of the zoomed-in perspective generates a more intimate feeling from the image, in which an appeal to pathos is made.  The viewer can almost sense all of the hurt in the lady's eyes.  If the camera was zoomed-out, revealing the rest of the woman, it would not have as strong of a personal impact.  Another way that the composition of the visual is effective is through the placement of the search box.  Choosing to position this over the woman's mouth sends a larger message that she, along with so many other women in the world, are being robbed of their own voice.  The search bar, representing the dominating majority in society, is literally refraining her from speaking freely which is a basic right that all people deserve.  If this element were to be placed at the bottom of the page instead, not only would the interest level of the advertisement decline, but it would also leave out the main message; it is what is connecting the two opposing sides.
     In addition to the placement of the graphic enhancing the image is also the general choice in using a search box.  By deciding to use a Google search bar to cover her mouth instead of just a list of words, the author is immediately connecting this piece to the modern world, increasing its relevancy to current world issues.  These automatic search suggestions that appear when typing are symbolic of the same automatic assumptions that society continues to make about women's treatment.  In result, these are the same prejudices that are facing women with everyday oppression in some parts of the world.  Since Google and the Internet are so commonly used, the search bar is very recognizable to the viewer, drawing their attention to the ad.  Also leaving a powerful impression is what is left outside of the text box: "women need to be seen as equal".  Intentionally, this phrase was left out of the box because it is not one that is typically representative of what many people think.  By providing this, the UN makes it clear that they are arguing for global women's equality.
     Although women have come a long way from the past, and there are an abundance of organizations still fighting for what they believe is truly equal, the sad reality is that in many parts of the world there are women facing what many would consider to be a nightmare. Through this UN Women advertisement campaigning for an end to the worldwide oppression of women, a strong use of composition and connection to modern technology in today's world create an effective argument. In hopes, advertisements and exposure to such societal imbalance will eventually lead to the final leap for women's equality.