Gender-based oppression in the algerian society during the 1990's as viewed by two algerian women writers

Abstract

The Algerian society is mostly based on patriarchal rules. These rules work to the advantage of men while they put women in a position of inferiority. Algerian women have always been subjected to the authority of men and to different forms of oppression. Yet, their situation was worsened by the Islamic radicalization that happened in the early 1990’s in the country and which eventually led to a civil war. The terrible consequences of the gender-based oppression are reflected by two Algerian authors: Maissa Bey in her first novel, published in 1996 and Malika Mokeddem in her third novel, published in 1993. This article aims to probe into the experiences of Algerian women as represented in these two works which are both set during the early days of the Algerian civil war.