Islamabad: In a collaborative effort, the Department of Sociology and the Department of English at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) organized a book talk on “Language, Gender and Power: The Politics of Representation and Hegemony in South Asia.”

The session featured an engaging discussion led by the book’s author, Professor Shahid Siddiqui. He was joined by esteemed academics including Professor Dr. Fouzia Janjua, Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Literature, Professor Dr. Manzoor Khan Afridi, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr. Rabia Ali, Associate Professor of Sociology, and Dr. Nasim Khan Mahsud from Allama Iqbal Open University.

Professor Siddiqui’s book explores language as more than a mere communication tool but as a mechanism for domination and control. He delved into how gender stereotypes are perpetuated through discourse, referencing postmodern concepts like hegemony.

A significant part of the discussion revolved around the notion of linguistic violence and its repercussions on women, particularly within the labor force and legislative arenas. Professor Siddiqui illustrated how everyday linguistic expressions, including nursery rhymes, media content, jokes, and slogans on vehicles, subtly enforce rigid gender roles.

The event attracted faculty members and students from the Sociology, English, and Psychology departments. Dr. Rabia Ali, the chief organizer, concluded the session by expressing gratitude to the speakers and participants for their active engagement.