Proposal for an ACLA Seminar in Houston 2027

Women’s Writings against Oppression in the Middle East and South Asia

Dr. Feroza Jussawalla, Professor Emerita, University of New Mexico

This seminar focuses on revealing the oppression of women writers whether governmental, societal, or cultural. Papers especially on Iranian women’s writings, as also from Palestine and Gaza and nearby Israel are sought. Any papers on authors with Zoroastrian/Persian/Kurdistani identities, describing their current plight during the last 47 years of the Iranian regime, and since January 2026) are eagerly welcomed. How is religious oppression played out in these regions, including also in South Asia? Literary and historical works, providing the backgrounds of oppression are welcomed. They could have been written in the native languages, but presentations must be in English and provide descriptions of the work in English. What sorts of censorship do these women experience when speaking out and from where and whom? How is censorship and oppression written-out in the literary works,whether fiction, memoir or poetry. How do women risk their lives to speak out and draw attention to governmental, societal and cultural norms? Who do they hope to reach and why?

Papers are particularly welcomed on Iranian authors such as Sedigheh Vasmaghi, Shida Bazyar, Rabab Haidar, Shahrnush Parsipur, Atefe Asadi, Homa Katouzian, (historian) and of course Marjane Satrapi, and any not mentioned here. We also welcome papers on writers from other regions experiencing religious oppression or censorship

Women scholars and possibly authors from politically disempowered groups, including Palestinian, Kurdish, and Zoroastrian, are especially welcomed, in order to give voice to those who have rarely been heard from before in the scholarly world. What liberatory narratives can we derive from such an exploration? Can western theoretical norms be applied to these writings or are there indigenous literary interpretive methods  that can help us shed light on the contexts of their writing.

This seminar hopes to shed light on how women authors handle oppression, and risk their lives to express themselves and bring about change in their countries and regions. The hope is to compile a volume of essays on these underrepresented and lesser known writers.

Please send abstracts and queries to Dr. Feroza Jussawalla, Professor Emerita of English, University of New Mexico at [email protected], also available on Facebook Messenger. Will provide Whatsapp number after contact.