Mapping Violence against Women in Pakistan: A Galtungian Reading of Fatima Bhutto’s The Shadow of the Crescent Moon

Abstract

This study explores the intersecting factors contributing to violence against women in Pakistan as depicted in contemporary literary works by women writers. Drawing upon Johan Galtung’s typology of violence, we aim to examine the dynamics of direct, structural, and cultural violence within Fatima Bhutto’s The Shadow of the Crescent Moon (2013). The novel is particularly suited for this analysis as it delves into the lives of Pakistani people amidst war, political turmoil, and societal repression. We argue that Bhutto’s novel underscores the cyclical perpetuation of oppression and the reinforcement of societal norms. This is achieved by illustrating how violence is perpetrated across micro, meso, and macro dimensions, and how intersecting identities shape women’s experiences of violence. Through the experiences of female characters like Mina and Samarra, the novel elucidates the complexities of violence by expanding its scope beyond physical abuse to encompass psychological trauma, societal discrimination, and political exploitation. Moreover, the interplay between cultural norms, structural inequalities, and violence against women is reflected in how direct violence—ranging from physical abuse to sexual assault—permeates the lives of female characters and is normalized and justified by the insidious nature of cultural and structural violence.