Ideas of feminism Freedom from Patriarchy
name of Islam in order to legalize them. Those old traditions are alive in some villages in Pakistan Weiss, 1985: 863-878. Pakistani society does Islamic law
strictly. Women should do what their fathers ask, in the name to close to God, and family honour. It clearly shows that, in Pakistan, gender inequality happens in
many aspects including women discrimination in social practice. Women in Pakistan do not have the same position and right as men have in the society.
Pakistani society is also controlled by an Imam. Imam is a leader of mosque and Muslim community that controls the rule in his community. At home
and community, people should respect and follow his rule because he is believed as appointed by God and free from sin.
Feminism in Islam is a controversial issue, as Badran states that in the 1990’s, the notion of Islamic feminism – and, indeed, the term itself – has been
surfacing in parts of Middle East. The term, however, is controversial and not necessarily well thought out, and there is no consensus about its meaning on the
part of either advocates or adversaries 2009: 221. Some traditions practiced in Pakistan also show men’s superiority.
Authir states: Men’s superiority is also seen in perception that men’s honour resided in
the actions of the women in their families. In other words, women preserved her family’s izzat honour. To maintain their family’s izzat,
women were being limited in the daily life, for examples in choosing the clothes they wear, in making relationship with other men, being expected
to have good attitude, restriction to go to many places as well as limitation in mobility.
Women in Pakistan should maintain their family honor. The culture in Pakistani society focuses on how people especially women, can gain honour, maintain that
honour, and avoid bringing shame on themselves and their family. Patriarchy system resulted in women discrimination. Women
discrimination or women inferiority in Pakistan appeared in the obstacles of getting higher education, position in job or politic; honor killings and
poor living standards. Furthermore, women were judged not only to be subordinated to men but also inferior to men in West Robinson, 1989:
374.
Pakistani women are considered second-class citizen and have far from equal opportunities to men. The discrimination towards women appears in the
difficulties to get higher education, positions in job or even in politics since there are many limitations even in daily life. Women are also put in a poor living
standard due to the obstacles of being restricted to go to many places including school. Furthermore, women are also being treated to be subordinate to men.
Moreover, it also can be categorized as the symbol of the patriarchal system based on religious fanaticism.
Related with the patriarchal system, marriage in Pakistan is mostly seen as a trade between families both in the rural and urban areas. According to
Marxist 2016: “Most of women in Pakistan do not have the right to choose their own
husband since their marriage were already arranged by their parents. Their parents will choose based on the background of the family
including wealth, social status, and religion.
The Imam’s Daughter describes Pakistan women living in western
society. Women in Pakistan should maintain their family honor. If they do not maintain this, they will get honor killing. The main character, Hannah, who has no
desire to be married, is continually raped and beaten by her father. Hannah wants to be free from patriarchal society and pursue equality. Hannah escapes from her
family’s home and converts her religion. Hannah is one of Pakistani girls who are brave to make a decision to get her freedom from patriarchal society and get
equality to live her own life.