We are living in the 21st century, and apparently women are expected to enjoy many more rights than they used to in the past. However, there still exist countless stories based on real-life events that compel conscientious people to think about creating favourable living conditions for women. Even in our metropolitan cities, it is unfortunate that women cannot go out of their homes fearlessly. Now and then, they are reminded of the fact that they are "women" and therefore need to stay on their guard.
Throughout human history, women have been marginalised in reprehensible ways. For instance, despite the fact that Mary Wollstonecraft advocated for women's right to vote in her book A Vindication of the Rights of Women (1792), women were not allowed to vote in Great Britain until 1918. In recent years, there have been a plethora of authors who have been at the forefront in highlighting the issues concerning women. Their constant mention has helped ameliorate the plight of women across the globe. If women were also considered as human as men are, the situation would be much better today.
Sufia echoes the countless aspirations, desires and dreams of many a Pakistani woman
As far as Pakistani literature in English language is concerned, we have a handful of notable writers who have successfully carved their niche. Prominent names include Mohsin Hamid, Bapsi Sidhwa and Kamila Shamsie.
Recently, Sufia Humayun, an English lecturer and poet, has published her debut collection of short stories, Shattered Echoes. Her stories explore diverse backgrounds, but the element of feminism reigns supreme throughout the pages of this collection.
The book opens with a foreword by Prof Dr Waseem Anwar, a renowned scholar and staunch supporter of budding Pakistani writers. The title of the book is both literal and symbolic of the diversity of stories. Sufia echoes the countless aspirations, desires and dreams of many a Pakistani woman. In doing so, she has become a voice for the helpless women.
The story "When a cat wails, Does Dog too?" paints an unbearable account of a married woman's life. Malaika is the name of the central character. It vividly and explicitly elaborates the inner workings of her mind. Despite being a stunning beauty, she is deprived of conjugal affection. She spends her days and nights writhing in the unspeakable trauma. At one point, reflecting on Malaika's life, the author writes, " There was no next step, no target to achieve, the linearity of life ahead looked so bizarre with no centre to hold on to. She had no one who needed her, apparently not even her husband.
We are well aware of the challenges women face in our society. When confronted with such ilk of predicaments, they have no recourse. With its unique and heart-rending theme, the story may echo with countless women.
Another short story has an extremely poignant yet ubiquitous theme. Its title, “The list in the Brain,” is very evocative and powerful. Rabia works for a non-governmental organisation (NGO). The moment she leaves for her office in the morning, she has a list of things to be purchased in her mind. Hoping she will get her monthly salary along with the arrears, she keeps working all day long, anxiously awaiting the moment when her pay will land in her hands. Meanwhile, the Governor's visit to the NGO is due on that day. Therefore, every worker, along with the madam, is busy making the required arrangements.
All the while, Rabia has only one thing on her mind: the list of things. At the end of the day, much to her sadness, madam hands her a monthly salary sans paying the arrears, giving the excuse that the Governor's visit has incurred an enormous amount of expenditure. Hence, Rabia ends up receiving the short end of the stick. if you look around yourself, you can easily notice many such instances. Unfortunately, there are many Rabias who have to perpetually keep the list of things in their brains.
Through her impactful short stories, Sufia brings to the fore the characters who live very much amongst us and yet they go unnoticed. Her collection is equally relevant to senior readers, millennials, and young adults of today's era. Succinctly, it is heartening to see writers writing on topics that are trenchant, relevant and have the power to enrich our lives by making us more conscious about our fellow beings.