Gender, Power, and the Politics of the ‘Hijab’ in Hijabistan

Abstract

This study aims to analyze how patriarchy, like gender, is socially constructed through the perpetuation of patriarchal ideals. Using Sabyn Javeri’s short story collection Hijabistan (2019), this research explores how patriarchal institutions like family, clergy, and culture instill patriarchal values in the minds of the people. The analysis also includes how the concept of ‘hijab’ is depicted as a symbol of societal norms and expectations that not only segregate genders but also limit their agency. Through content analysis and textual interpretations based on the theoretical frameworks from Kate Millett’s Sexual Politics (1970) and Judith Butler’s Gender Trouble (1990) the study tries to explore how patriarchy and gender performativity is used for gaining and sustaining power dynamics at home and in society. The research finds that ‘hijab is one of the most powerful tool patriarchy uses to subjugate women however, the study also finds that Javeri has shown the sparks of resistance among females through her protagonists in the stories. The characters are shown opposing this concept of ‘hijab’ as a symbol of their servitude. This research aims to contribute to the understanding of how radical feminist discourses interact with sociocultural and religious beliefs in Pakistan, highlighting the implications for family structures, social norms, and individual well-being.