Keywords
gender identity, self-expression, sustainable development, feminist literary criticism, empowerment
Abstract
This paper investigates the interconnections among gender identity, self-expression, and sustainable development through an exploration of K. R. Meera’s renowned Malayalam novel Sooryane Aninja Oru Sthree (The Woman Who Wore the Sun). Meera’s protagonist symbolizes the struggle of reclaiming a muted feminine voice, offering a broader reflection on empowerment and transformation. The study situates this literary narrative alongside modern educational frameworks that advocate for amplifying children’s voices and reinforcing teacher leadership to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It argues that both women in literature and children in learning contexts experience transformative paths of self-realization, resistance, and empowerment—elements vital to achieving social sustainability. Drawing upon feminist literary criticism, postcolonial theory, and sustainability education, this paper demonstrates how literature can function as a pedagogical tool that nurtures empathy, justice, and responsible global citizenship.
