PARVANA’S STRUGGLES AGAINST GENDER INEQUALITY IN TALIBAN SOCIETY IN DEBORAH ELLIS’ THE BREADWINNER: A FEMINIST CHILDREN’S LITERATURE STUDY

Abstract

This research aims to identify the harms that gender inequality put on female children in Taliban society, Parvana’s  struggles  against  gender  inequality  in  Taliban  society,  and  the  significant  meanings  of  Parvana’s struggles in Taliban society. This research used qualitative-descriptive content analysis. The results of this research show that there are three harms that gender inequality put on female children in Taliban society: fear and lack of confidence, desperation and unwillingness to struggle, and dependency. Parvana does some struggles against gender inequality in Taliban society, namely disguising as a boy to become a breadwinner and fulfill other needs of the family, optimizing her attempts to save her family, encouraging her family, and helping other women to survive. The study also reveals that there are three significant meanings of Parvana’s struggles in Taliban society: boosting her self-esteem, improving a sense of pride on herself and arousing a feeling of satisfaction of her efforts.

Keywords: Parvana, struggle, gender inequality, harm, female children, Taliban society