SOCIAL STIGMATIZATION AND PENALIZATION OF WOMEN IN SAADAWI’S THE FALL OF THE IMAM

Yıl 2023, Cilt: 6 Sayı: 1, 378 - 387, 30.04.2023

Eren Bolat

https://doi.org/10.55666/folklor.1145428

Öz

This study aims to examine the social stigmatization and punishment of women in The Fall of the Imam by Nawal El Saadawi, iconic Egyptian feminist writer who could not remain apathetic to the violence, exclusion and punishment methods developed by the society against women in an environment where people are afraid to speak. In conservative and authoritarian societies, it is quite common for individuals to be restricted and required to live according to strictly defined social norms. If a person acts or behaves in ways outside the boundaries and limits demanded by society, it is highly probable that they will be stigmatized and perhaps even punished by their milieu. On the other hand, the group most adversely affected by this circumstance is women because they are subjected to much more noticeable extent of coercion and oppression than men are. Patriarchal perception lies on the ground of this domination against women. The restrictive structure of patriarchy prevailing in the society is utilized as a kind of control mechanism. Referring to the atmosphere in her country, in particular for women, Saadawi expressly emphasizes that the oppression and domination in her society negatively affect women’s lives, the court system is biased against women, and religion is manipulated in favor of men. Women are victims in a male-dominated religious society, they are judged and punished by men in an unfair way, which Saadawi criticizes in her work. The systematic exposure of women to violence, sexual assault and rape, and ultimately death penalty is a stark manifestation of the corruption in society. The unfair punishment practice imposed against women is the key factor triggering this deterioration. Accordingly, Saadawi dwells on the unfair/cruel physical punishment method of stoning in the penalization of women and sheds light on the problem of violence in her novel. On the axis of violence, Saadawi severely criticizes the stereotypical religion-referenced patriarchal structure manipulated against women. By taking into consideration all these elements, in this paper, it is aimed to investigate and represent how women are stigmatized and penalized with death. Accordingly, it is concluded that the stigmatization, marginalization, and ultimately death penalty generated against women as a result of their sexes are based on the patriarchal notion enforced by religion.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Saadawi, Women, Stigmatization, Violence, Penalization

SOCIAL STIGMATIZATION AND PENALIZATION OF WOMEN IN SAADAWI’S THE FALL OF THE IMAM

Öz

Bu çalışma, insanların konuşmaktan çekindiği bir ortamda, içinde bulunduğu toplumun kadınlara karşı geliştirmiş olduğu şiddete, dışlamaya ve cezalandırma yöntemlerine kayıtsız kalamayan Mısırlı feminist yazar Nawal El Saadawi’nin The Fall of the Imam adlı eserinde kadınların toplumsal olarak damgalanması ve cezalandırılması konusunu incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Muhafazakâr ve otoriter toplumlarda bireylerin kısıtlanması ve katı bir şekilde belirlenmiş sosyal normlara göre yaşamasının istenmesi oldukça yaygın bir durumdur. Bir kişinin, toplumun talep ettiği sınır ve çizgiler dışında hareket etmesi veya davranması durumunda, çevre tarafından damgalanması ve hatta belki de cezalandırılması da kuvvetle muhtemeldir. Öte yandan, bu durumdan en çok etkilenen kesim kadınlardır çünkü kadınlar erkeklere göre çok daha belirgin ölçüde baskıya ve tahakküme maruz kalmaktadır. Saadawi toplumda hâkim olan baskı ve tahakkümün, kadınların yaşamlarını olumsuz yönde etkilediğini, adalet sisteminin kadınlar aleyhine çalıştığını ve dinin erkekler lehine manipüle edildiğini özellikle vurgulamaktadır. Erkek egemen dini bir toplumda kadınların kurban olmaları ve erkekler tarafından hiç de adil olmayan bir yöntemle yargılanıp cezalandırılmaları Saadawi’nin eserinde işlemiş olduğu en temel konudur. Kadınların sistematik bir şekilde şiddete, cinsel saldırı ve tecavüze ve nihayetinde ölüm cezasına maruz kalmaları toplumdaki çürümenin çok açık bir tezahürüdür. Bu çürümenin başında da kadınlara karşı geliştirilen adil olmayan cezalandırma kararları gelmektedir. Bu doğrultuda Saadawi, romanında, şiddet teması özelinde kadınların cezalandırılmasında taşlamanın (recm) fiziksel cezalandırma yöntemi olarak kullanılması üzerinde durmaktadır. Saadawi şiddet temasına vurgu yaparak, kendi toplumunda kemikleşmiş hale gelen kadınların aleyhine olan din referanslı ataerkil yapıyı ciddi derecede eleştirmektedir. Bu çalışmada, tüm bu bahsedilen kavramlar temelinde kadınların damgalanmaları ve ölümle cezalandırılmaları incelenmiş olup kadınların maruz kaldıkları baskıcı unsurların gösterilmesi amaçlanmaktadır. İnceleme sonrası, kadınlara cinsiyetleri nedeniyle uygulanan damgalama, ötekileştirme ve nihayetinde ölüm cezası verilmesi durumlarının din ile güçlendirilen ataerkil anlayışa dayandığı sonucuna varılmıştır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Saadawi, Kadınlar, Damgalama, Şiddet, Cezalandırma

Kaynakça

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