Pashtun Women’s Choices in the Institution of Marriage: A Case Study of District Bannu

Abstract

This thesis engages with three debates concerning women's agency in making choices within the institution of marriage. The first debate revolves around the interplay of culture and economic independence within the private sphere. The second debate focuses on the impact of modernization on women's choices in marriage. Additionally, the third debate addresses the relationship between structure and agency. The theoretical framework of this research draws insights from feminist and Islamic feminist discussions, such as Saba Mahmood's work on religious agency, Afiya Zia's exploration of secular autonomy, and the contributions of Humaira Iqtidar, Amna Jamal, Anoosh, and Amina Ahmad on Pashtun women's agency within patriarchal structures, specifically within Jamat Islami and Jamat ul Dawa. A review of existing literature on Bannu reveals that women in the region have limited agency and decision-making power in marriage institutions, as their choices are constrained by a patriarchal society. To investigate this further, twenty semi-structured open ended interviews were conducted and qualitatively analyzed using thematic analysis. The study describes the current status of women in decision-making processes and explores how Pashtun women have limited choices in marriage. It highlights that women's agency within the private sphere is heavily influenced by male family members and elder females. Despite modernization and economic independence, culture and tradition still influence choice-making processes. This study seeks to conceptualize gender as a social structure within the context of the Pashtun structure of Bannu. It acknowledges that social and cultural norms play a significant role in shaping gendered power dynamics within this structure. Within this framework, women encounter numerous challenges and barriers. The study aims to examine the intersections of cultural and socio-economic factors that affect women's status, roles, and experiences within marriage. Which are influenced by various factors, including limited choices, agency, and cultural expectations.