PATRIARCHY IN HIJABISTAN (2019): A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF GENDER INEQUALITY IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

This paper critically examines the portrayal of patriarchy and radical feminist themes in Sabyn Javeri’s Hijabistan (2019), a collection of short stories set in Pakistani society. Radical feminism, which emerged in the late 1960s and 1970s as a response to the perceived limitations of liberal feminism, seeks to address the deep-rooted structures of gender inequality entrenched in patriarchy, capitalism, and the nuclear family. Through textual analysis this study examines the representation of gender inequality in Hijabistan through the lens of radical feminism, specifically utilizing Kate Millett’s theoretical framework on patriarchy as outlined in her work, Sexual Politics (1970). By analysing Javeri’s work through the lens of radical feminist theory, this study identifies and explores the various manifestations of patriarchal oppression depicted in the stories. Key narratives such as “The Urge,” “Radha,”, “The Date,” “An Irreplaceable Loss,” “The Lovers,” and “Coach Annie" illustrate how societal norms, familial expectations, and institutional structures perpetuate gender-based injustices. Through these stories, Javeri critiques the systemic control over women’s bodies, the commodification of female labor, and the internalization of patriarchal values by both men and women. The analysis also highlights the conflicting reception of radical feminist ideals in Pakistani society, where cultural, social, and religious norms often clash with feminist discourses advocating for gender equity. This paper argues that Hijabistan contributes to the broader discourse on radical feminism in Pakistan, challenging deeply ingrained patriarchal systems and advocating for transformative societal reforms. The study underscores the importance of critical engagement with literary texts to understand and address the pervasive nature of gender oppression in traditional and religious societies.