Institutional Gaslighting in Patriarchal Structures: A Feminist Inquiry into Gendered Psychological Control in Pakistan

Abstract

This paper explores the phenomenon of institutional gaslighting as a systemic form of psychological control that disproportionately targets women in patriarchal societies, with a focus on public institutions in Pakistan. Drawing upon feminist theories of epistemic injustice, discursive power, and emotional labor, the study investigates how formal structures such as universities, hospitals, and civil services employ bureaucratic language, procedural ambiguity, and moral discourse to invalidate women’s experiences and fragment their professional identities. Utilizing a qualitative feminist methodology, the research is based on narrative interviews with 24 professional women across multiple regions of Pakistan, revealing consistent patterns of testimonial dismissal, procedural delay, emotional erosion, and institutional betrayal. Despite these harms, the study also identifies micro-resistances, including personal documentation, informal support networks, and strategic reframing of grievances. The analysis highlights that institutional gaslighting in Pakistan is not merely a personal or interpersonal phenomenon but a deeply embedded cultural practice that protects male authority and suppresses feminist consciousness. The paper concludes with actionable policy recommendations to reform complaint mechanisms, introduce trauma-informed training, and institutionalize emotional and epistemic recognition. This study contributes to feminist literature by framing gaslighting as a critical site of gendered governance and by proposing a locally grounded, politically engaged framework for institutional accountability.