THE TRADITION OF PURDAH AS A CATALYST FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN SHAISTA IKRAMULLAH’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Abstract

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