Analysis of Honor Killing and Violence Against Women in Sufia Humayun′s Its Not Ok Not to Be Ok: A Feminist Perspective

Abstract

The present research paper analyzes “It is not-ok-not-to-be-ok” a short story by Sufia Humayun through the lens of Postcolonial Feminism. The short story is taken from her collection of short stories entitled “Shattered Echoes” published in 2024. This short story shows us various factors including patriarchy and colonial policies that mix with each other to restrict women′s freedom in different ways, most prominently violence and honor killing. The central focus of the current research is to find the major elements that add to violence and honor killing against women such as: traditional values, social constraints, patriarchal structure, religion and cultural beliefs. Along with that, how the mentioned factors have impacts on the autonomy of female. This paper is primarily based on the theories of postcolonial feminist theorists generally, Kandivoti (1988) and Mohanty (1984) and particularly on the theory of Spivak “Can the subaltern speak?” (1988). Qualitative research methodology has been used specifically close textual analysis technique to analyze the selected statements and passages of the short story from postcolonial feministic perspective. The short story highlights the marginalization of women due to powerful and prevailing patriarchal structure within the society. The killings of Qandeel Baloch and Noor Makhdoom are portrayed as a tragedy and are interpreted as a symbol for those who violate social and cultural norms. The paper highlights the significance of literary narration in exposing the societal and fundamental measures of violence based on gender. The study concludes the essential societal and lawful developments that line up women′s rights and their voices, emphasizing the significance of challenging the dominant patriarchal structures and stimulating justice between the opposite genders.