نجیبہ عارف کے افسانوں میں عوامی مقامات پر عورت کے عدم تحفظ کی عکاسی

"Representation of Women's Insecurity in Public Spaces in the Short Stories of Najeeba Arif"

Abstract

Najeeba Arif is a contemporary Urdu short story writer renowned for her nuanced portrayal of women’s lived experiences and social realities. This paper critically examines the representation of women’s insecurity in public spaces in her short stories, highlighting how patriarchal norms and societal surveillance constrain women’s freedom and autonomy. Arif’s narratives depict women navigating unfamiliar streets, crowded markets, and communal areas, where they encounter intrusive gazes, societal scrutiny, and the constant threat of harassment. These literary depictions not only reflect the physical and psychological challenges women face but also critique broader gendered power structures that perpetuate their vulnerability. Through her stories, Arif illuminates the tension between a woman’s desire for agency and the limitations imposed by societal expectations, offering a profound commentary on the persistence of gender-based insecurity in contemporary urban life.