Women's Right In Afghanistan With Reference To A Thousand Splendid Suns

Himanshu Kumar, Symbiosis Law School, Hyderabad

ABSTRACT

The Novel “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by “Khaled Hosseini” provides insight into the condition in Afghanistan under Soviet Union & Taliban. It also talks about the struggle & the situation of women in society. The novel starts with narration about Mariam & her struggle & then shifts its focus to the life & struggle of another woman named Laila. This novel also insight into three different situations: a mother not supporting her daughter, two wives of a man supporting each other, contrary to the first one. In the third situation, the daughter has been chosen between two children (son & daughter) & forcefully sent to an orphanage. Khaled Hosseini also tried to show a conservative & rigid attitude. This tale insight into the struggle for the rights of men & women. But, it is mostly about women because they were the most deprived section of that conservative society. “They were exposed to different forms of gender despotism as psychological & physical violence, sexual abuse, short-gun marriage, and preference to have sons, bad healthcare facilities, put aside from education & limited mobility.” Moreover, it showed how women were deprived of basic rights to live. They were forced to remain in their home, meeting of eyes with men were not allowed, not to laugh in public, or to apply nail paint( if you do will lose a finger), cosmetics & jewellary were prohibited & also were not allowed to attend schools. Etc. Throughout the story, the world & regional power struggle brought disorder & spoilation to both women’s lives & to the country of Afghanistan.

In this research paper, the main idea & focus will be on the rights of women & unfold different forms of gender discrimination.

Keywords: Women’s rights, equality in society, conservative society, struggle