For writer Fauzia Rafique, oppression comes in various forms overt and subtle.
In her recently released novel, Rafique explores this subject through the eyes of her protaganist Skeena, a young women who comes to Canada for an arranged marriage.
The young woman leaves behind a patriarchal society of Pakistan and finds not only culture shock in Canada but also a violent marriage.
Eventually Skeena finds the courage to leave the marriage and moves to BC, but this time the geopolitical rupture created by 9/11 exposes her to a new and more pervasive form of repression.
Rafique first published her novel “Skeena” in Punjabi and in Pakistan.
It was written over a 13 year period from 1991 to 2004.
Originally from Pakistan where she worked as a journalist and screenwriter, Rafique immigrated to Canada from Pakistan 1986 with her husband and young family. In Pakistan she witnessed the country’s Arabisation of its religious values and increasing militarization. In the West, she witnessed the consequences of that political shift through the lens of 9/11.
For more information on Fauzia Rafique or how to obtain a copy of the book go to http://novelskeena.wordpress.com.