مرسده مدیری

Gender and Third Spaces: Women's Perceptions and Experiences of Coworking Spaces in Tehran"New theories consider space as a social construct in which all members of society, including women, play a role in its production. Space is a domain for the reproduction of power and the representation of social roles. The concept of third space, despite being discussed by many theorists, was notably introduced by Oldenburg. Third spaces can be understood as places other than home and work where individuals spend their time freely, away from the formal constraints of work and the emotional and functional demands of home. Third spaces are arenas for the presence of effective social interactions and the expression of individual and collective creativity. This study employs a qualitative method, grounded theory approach, and in-depth interviews with 8 women who participate in coworking spaces. Coworking spaces have recently gained popularity in Iran, with many men and women engaging in work and activities there. The findings of this study reveal that women have transformed these spaces into professional networking environments and use them to navigate a male-dominated structure that limits women’s participation in professional activities. This indicates women’s agency in social spheresKeywords: Gender; Agency; Third Space; Coworking Space; Networking