War, Patriarchy, And Institutionalized Gender Violence in a Thousand Splendid Suns: Community and Societal Dimensions of Heise’s Ecological Framework

Abstract

Gender-based violence in conflict-affected societies is not just an individual/ domestic issue. It is exacerbated by conflict, migration, economic suffering, social breakdown, male dominance, institutional failure and ethnically biased political frameworks. This is a qualitative literary study to explore the community and societal aspects of gender based violence in the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. The theoretical underpinning is provided by the Integrated Ecological Framework of Lori Heise, emphasising the community and societal aspects of this framework. In the interpretative text analysis method, the study examines the depiction of war ravaged communities, forced displacement, social isolation, institutional apathy, patriarchal gender norms, discriminatory legislation and Taliban administration. The results show that armed conflict not only damages physical infrastructure, but social networks that could protect women, as well. Without the support of family and community she is at risk of forced marriage, domestic violence, poverty and exploitation.Both Mariam and Laila are vulnerable to forced marriage, domestic violence, poverty and exploitation due to the lack of a family and community support system. Community institutions, such as police and transport services, do not question or take the place of male authority, as women's attempt to escape is met by their return to Rasheed. On the societal level, gender roles and norms link women with the roles of mother, wife, and subordinate worker; and political regimes are institutionalised versions of these roles. Taliban's edicts on women's education, employment, attire, health, mobility and social engagement morph cultural inequality into gender violence institutionalization. The study finds a relationship between the abuse of both of them, Mariam and Laila, and a social ecology which, at large level, is the overlapping and reinforcing influence of war, patriarchy, institutional failure, and authoritarian power. The paper is adding value to the field of literary studies in two ways: First, it demonstrates the link between private violence and public structures; second, it underscores the need for community reconstruction, gender-inclusive justice, women's political engagement, teaching, economic empowerment, and responsible institutions for a durable prevention.

Keywords: structural violence, gender-based violence, patriarchy, war, Taliban, Afghan women, community institutions, ecological framework, A Thousand Splendid Suns

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21964545