A post (Figure 17) compares two candidates from the same political party using side-by-side images
and culturally loaded emojis: an apple ( ), connoting beauty and freshness in the Kurdish context,
and an owl ( ), a derogatory insult implying unattractiveness or misfortune.40 The post reinforced
gendered stereotypes using culturally accepted metaphors to legitimise ridicule and exclusion.
Figure 17: Ranks two women candidates by looks using “apple” praise and “owl” insult emojis
A further post (Figure 18) placed two candidates' images side by side with the caption, "If someone
wants to vote for a woman, they should vote for a pretty one," normalising beauty as a criterion for
political legitimacy. 41 The tactic relies on ironic or sarcastic framing, where appearance-based
judgment is normalized under the guise of commentary. By reducing women candidates to
appearance and encouraging voters to assess them visually, the post reinforces gendered stereotypes
and shifts political evaluation away from qualifications, experience, or policy positions.
Figure 18: compares two women candidates to normalize judging political legitimacy by attractiveness.
40 dojmne.kandida. (2025, October 26). Main tactics and trends [TikTok post]. TikTok. https://perma.cc/4EQZ-DUHQ
41 dojmne.kandida. (2025, October 9). Main tactics and trends [TikTok post]. TikTok. https://perma.cc/B28K-5N3N
41