Subjugation of Muslim Women and Their Resistance to Patriarchal Structure in Malala Yousafzai's I am Malala: A Girl Stood for Education and Shot by Taliban
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Department of English
Abstract
This thesis tries to explore how women are dominated and exploited in Muslim societies especially in Pakistan by studying Malala Youfazai’s book I am Malala: A Girl Stood for Education and Shot by Taliban. It depicts domination and exploitation of women in a society where patriarchal norms and values are dominant in the name of religion. Women are punished if they are found violating the Muslim patriarchal norms and values. In the name of culture and tradition women are treated as inferior beings and exploited. Taliban banned the girls from going to school because they think education for girls is against their religion. Women are forced to wear veil in Muslim society. There is an extreme domination of women in Muslim society. The stories of Khalida and Sahida who are sold by their fathers to old man show the exploitation of women in Muslim societies. Similarly, the story of a thirteen years old girl who is married in her early age and the story of another girl who is raped and sent into prison shows the extreme domination over girls in Pakistan. Similarly, the stories of Seema and Sabana show how tragically women are punished if they are found violating the Muslim norms and values of society. Malala is shot by Taliban because she, challenging the Muslim norms and values of the society, advocates for the woman’s rights. This thesis also explores the resistance of Muslim women to Muslim patriarchal norms and values of the society which is proved through the story of Malala. Her act of not wearing veil and challenging the Muslim norms and values by speaking for the rights of women to get education proves her resistance to Muslim patriarchal society.