JSSH

Women, Politics, and Linguistic Violence

Shahid Siddiqui — 2024-12-31

There is a history of women exclusion from major centers of power, including the political arena, not only in developing countries but also in developed countries where women were given the right to vote much later than men. Likewise, in Pakistan, women, like other walks of life, were poorly represented in politics and on political forums. (Siddiqui, 2014). One of the major reasons for this discriminatory exclusion is the metanarrative about the role of women in the societies of South Asian countries which restricts
the movement of women only to the domestic chores. This paper critically analyzes the significance of women's participation in national politics as a means of decision-making. Over the period there is a gradual increase in the visibility of women in the political sphere, especially through reserved seats. However, the women who manage to reach parliament are treated discriminately by their male colleagues. This paper discusses the challenges faced by women parliamentarians on the basis of gender and focuses on the
linguistic violence against them, including slurs and abusive language, leading to serious psychological and professional consequences for them. The paper offers some doable recommendations to reduce/eliminate linguistic violence against women parliamentarians to create an enabling environment for them to demonstrate their full potential to play a constructive and meaningful role in the sphere of politics.

Media Framing of Women's Freedom Struggle: Insights from Pakistan

Syed Abdul Siraj — 2024-12-31

This study examines the Women's March of 2020 as portrayed on mainstream Pakistani television channels, focusing on the diverse demands for equal rights put forth by women. It analyzes these challenges through the lenses of Islamic and Social Feminism, aligning with current scholarship on women’s struggles. The TV talks illuminate the multifaceted challenges and opportunities for advancing gender equality and women's rights in Pakistan. It identified that resistance to women's progress and development is
embedded in the prevalence of dominant elite ideology in Pakistan, controlled by civil bureaucracy, establishment, and feudal elites who wield significant power. The talk participants acknowledged overlooking women's critical issues and realized more balanced coverage.

The Arduous Last Journey: Refugees’ Migration from Rawalpindi in 1947 and the Attendant Hardships

MISBAH UMAR — 2024-12-31

Falling in the domain of the “new history” of Partition, the article deals with the social history of partition of the Punjab by highlighting what was the deep personal meaning of Punjab’s territorial division for the Sikhs and Hindus of Rawalpindi. The study’s spatial scope encompasses the administration of six districts in the Rawalpindi division, namely Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Mianwali, Shahpur, and Gujrat, where the non-Muslims were a minority. This made them vulnerable targets of violent attacks from the Muslims in 1947. The Sikhs and Hindus faced challenges in ensuring safety and security amid the chaos and uncertainty of the situation. Although they escaped the gravity of partition related violence unleashed in areas where the Punjab Boundary Force was deployed, they were not entirely safe from imminent threats of violent attacks as they set out on their journey. The study demonstrates that the movement of the non-Muslim refugees from Rawalpindi was not as smooth as it is popularly believed; rather, it was shaped by anxiety, terror, and adversities. Apart from the dangers of being subject to violent attacks instilling constant distress among them, the
physical hardships left them with no choice but to neglect them, which in a normal situation they would not have. The attendant dangers and miseries of their last journey left deep imprints on their minds and lives as they started living in their new geographical environment after 1947.

Feminist Analysis of Twinkle Khanna’s Short Story the Legend of Lakshmi Prasad

Javed Iqbal — 2024-12-31

This paper conducts a socialist feminist analysis of Twinkle Khanna's "The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad." By examining the protagonist's experiences within a patriarchal Indian society, the study explores themes of economic inequality, domestic labor, and the intersectionality of gender and class. Drawing on Zillah R. Eisenstein's theory of feminism, the analysis investigates how Lakshmi Prasad's lack of financial independence and excessive domestic burdens contribute to her marginalized status. A qualitative close-reading approach was employed to analyze the text and its portrayal of gender dynamics. The paper proposes practical solutions, such as promoting women's economic empowerment and challenging traditional gender roles, to address these issues and create a more equitable society. Women in the subcontinent, since 19th century, have been facing a systemic marginalization and domestic abuse due to deep-rooted socio-economic inequalities within a patriarchal society. The Indian English literature, with its rich tradition of exploring social and cultural issues, provides a powerful platform for examining these experiences. This research aims not only to
shed light on the ongoing struggles faced by women in a male-dominated society but also to propose practical solutions that could empower them and elevate their social status.

Empowering Voices: Mixed Study of DecisionMaking Structures, Employee Engagement and Organizational Sustainability in Public and Private HEIs

Ayesha Ali — 2024-12-31

This study examines the relationship between centralized decision-making by employers and employee recalcitrant behavior in public and private universities in Lahore, Pakistan, with a focus on its implications for organizational sustainability. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research incorporates data from 355 survey responses analyzed quantitatively using structural equation modeling and qualitative insights from 30 in-depth interviews. Key findings indicate a significant positive association between centralized decision-making and recalcitrant behavior (β = 0.561, p < 0.001), as faculty members reported dissatisfaction, noncompliance, and organized resistance to authoritarian management practices. Thematic analysis of qualitative data revealed that employees perceive exclusion from decision-making as a breach of psychological contracts, fueling frustration and defiance. These findings underscore the detrimental impact of centralization on employee morale and performance, emphasizing the need for participatory governance to foster organizational engagement and sustainability. The study is limited to education sector but
contributes significantly to the literature on organizational behavior by demonstrating the psychological and practical consequences of decisionmaking structures and offering actionable recommendations for academic leadership. This has original insights for future research into the employee turnover, retention and performance in the universities as well as organizational sustainability and performance.

A Study Based On Stigma Experienced by Divorced Women in Pakistan; An Exploratory Research

Noshaba Razaq — 2024-12-31

This qualitative study, grounded in phenomenological theory and utilizing semistructured, issue-focused interviews, explores the stigma experienced by divorced women in Pakistan. The study involved 15 women who had experienced stigma after divorce, selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach, resulting in 44 initial codes, 19 sub-themes, and 7 main themes. The first theme, "Forms of Stigma Experienced," includes social, familial, and economic stigma, while the second, "Impact on Mental Health and Well-being," encompasses psychological distress, physical health issues, and social isolation. The third theme, "Coping Mechanisms," highlights personal resilience, support systems, and spiritual practices. "Cultural and Religious Influences," the fourth theme, focuses on cultural norms and religious beliefs. The fifth theme, "Barriers to Social and
Economic Reintegration," identifies challenges such as employment difficulties, legal and financial barriers, and social acceptance. "Identity and Self-esteem," the sixth theme, explores how divorced women perceive themselves and their public identity. Lastly, the seventh theme, "Strategies for Reducing Stigma," discusses the importance of community awareness, policy reforms, and support
services. The findings show that divorced women in Pakistan endure significant stigma, leading to mental and physical health challenges and social isolation. However, they demonstrate resilience through personal growth, support from networks, and spirituality. Cultural and religious norms often hinder their reintegration into society. The study calls for increased community awareness, policy changes, and enhanced support services to reduce stigma and aid divorced women’s reintegration.

Unraveling Gender Dynamics: Rita Dove's Poetry through a Psychoanalytic Feminist Lens

SAMINA NAJEEB — 2024-12-31

This research paper aims to investigate the ideas about gender roles, sexuality and gender expression in the poems of Afro-American
contemporary poetess Rita Dove, in the backdrop of the psychoanalytic feminism. The theory enables us to uncover layers of meaning related to gender dynamics, desires for artistic recognition, and the negotiation of identity. Moreover, it aspires to identify how her poems link together her sense of self with her affinity towards her Black sisterhood and her view of a contemporary woman’s loyalty to her biological identity and her roles ordered by the American culture of the 90’s onwards, when Rita Dove (1953-
present) was enjoying the peak of her poetic career. The study hopes to qualitatively analyze the poet’s concept of womanhood, the limitations of being one and what possibilities are stipulated by her for women of this time and age so that wo-men may coexist for a healthy society’s burgeoning.