Negotiating Identity and Resistance: Cultural Identity and Feminist Discourse in Afghan Women's Literature

Abstract

This paper explores the dynamic relationship between cultural identity and feminist discourse within Afghan literature, with a particular focus on the works of prominent Afghan women writers such as Malalai Joya, Homeira Qaderi, and Anosha Roya Zereh. Afghan feminism emerges as a form of resistance in a perspective where deeply rooted cultural norms intersect with political instability by redefining the role of women in society. Through an examination and taking autobiographical and fictional narratives in account, this paper inspects how these writers have challenged the patriarchal structures in their country and how their voices have been heard worldwide. This paper aims to contribute to a broader understanding of feminist movements and highlight the ways in which these writers navigate cultural expectations by exploring their techniques. Moreover, this paper also emphasizes on how Afghan women have raised their voices amidst ongoing struggles for gender equality by using literature as a tool for socio-political changes. This paper showcases new perceptions into the complex and multifaceted nature of Afghan feminism and how cultural identity and feminist expressions are deeply interweaved in literature and are influencing the ways in which women’s experiences are expressed and understood in a rapidly evolving socio-political background.

Keywords: Afghan feminism, Patriarchal structures, Gender equality, Cultural identity, Socio-political change, Women’s voices