Between Mosque and Maple: Navigating Violence Against Women in the Normative Landscapes of Pakistan and South Korea Page 01-09

Abstract

This article looks at how social and legal systems shape violence against women in South Korea and Pakistan. It's not just about what's written in the law books—it's about how those laws actually play out, especially when they clash with old traditions or beliefs. In Pakistan, for example, Islamic teachings have a big influence. In Korea, Neo-Confucian values still shape people's thinking. Instead of just lining up laws side by side, this essay tries to get at the messy reality, where state rules, religion, and tradition all mix together and leave a mark on women's daily lives. To get at this, the study uses a qualitative method, comparing cases and digging into real stories and social records. The study finds that legal remedies in Pakistan often fall short because there’s a clash between efforts to limit patriarchal traditions and the push to protect Islamic values. In South Korea, even with progressive policies on paper, old Confucian ideas still hang on—they end up justifying violence behind closed doors. The article points out that real change takes more than new laws. Societies need solutions that actually fit their values and norms. For Pakistan, that means encouraging ijtihad—getting people to think for themselves within Islamic tradition. In South Korea, it’s about shifting public conversations to challenge strict family hierarchies. Both approaches open the door to more inclusive, thoughtful, and progressive civic life.