THE PRIVILEGE OF PURDAH AND THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN PAKISTAN FREEDOM MOVEMENT IN SHAISTA IKRAMULLAH’S FROM PURDAH TO PARLIAMENT

Received: 13.09.2021; Revised: 22.10.2021, Accepted: 18.11.2021, Published Online: 04.12.2021

Amna Saeed

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Humanities, COMSATS University, Park Road, Islamabad, Pakistan. Email: doctor.amna9@gmail.com

Shafa Ayaz

Research Scholar, Dept. of Humanities, COMSATS University, Park Road, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Email: sabz.ayaz@gmail.com

Azher Khan

Lecturer, Dept. of English, MNS University of Agriculture, Old Shujabad Road, Multan, Pakistan. Email: azher.khan@mnsuam.edu.pk

Abstract

This research aims to explore how Shaista Ikramullah develops a counter discourse to all the negative stereotypical perceptions of the Westerner’s as well as the Oriental’s regarding the Muslim women living in purdah in her book, From Purdah to Parliament (2000). The research then sheds light on the recent feminist movements in Pakistan in comparison with the women living in purdah during the author’s life. The researchers make use of the theory of Orientalism (1978) presented by Edward Said to better understand how the westerners view the East, which is far different from reality. Moreover, the researchers also make use of Post-colonial Feminism by taking insight from the work of Mohanty (1984) to further interrogate into this area. For the purpose of analysis, the researchers have done a close reading of the memoir to better interrogate how the author has presented the women in the text. Furthermore, it is examined how the text negates all the western perceptions about the Muslim women and shows us how empowered these women were while living in purdah whom the westerners viewed as oppressed and isolated. Being in purdah reflected great honor attached to these women who were well educated, civilized and had great authority in their households and society in general.

Keywords:  Postcolonialism, Feminism, Purdah, Stereotyping, Orientalism