Forms of Female Exploitation in Kishwar Naheed's Columns

کشور ناہید کے کالموں میں نسائی استحصال کی صورتیں

Abstract

The exploitation of women emerges as a significant social, cultural, and human issue in Kishwar Naheed’s columns. She not only highlights the various forms of violence, discrimination, and deprivation faced by women but also critically examines the social, cultural, and psychological attitudes that contribute to their oppression. In her view, the marginalisation of women is not merely an individual concern; rather, it reflects broader patterns of inequality and injustice embedded within society. Naheed particularly addresses physical, psychological, emotional, and domestic violence, acid attacks, burning of women, sexual exploitation, forced labour, denial of education, and discriminatory customary practices as major forms of female exploitation. She also questions the attitudes that regard the birth of daughters as a cause of disappointment and restrict women’s right to express their opinions and participate in family and social decision-making. Her writings further highlight the gap between the Islamic principles of justice, equality, and human dignity and the discriminatory practices prevalent in society. Through her columns, Kishwar Naheed exposes the causes and consequences of violence against women and emphasises the need for collective awareness, effective legal protection, social reform, and respect for human dignity. This article analytically examines the various forms of female exploitation represented in Kishwar Naheed’s columns and demonstrates that her column writing serves as a powerful feminist voice advocating women’s rights, dignity, freedom, and equal status in society.