Using womanist theory as a theoretical framework, this study has analyzed identity formation and self-empowerment. Adichie is considered a feminist writer, but her ideals and ideas are very different from Western ideals and aim to survive and challenge patriarchal culture. In her debut novel, Purple Hibiscus, Adichie argues for a change in society's attitude toward the oppression of women and children. Adichie articulates a womanist ideology that relates to universal human suffering. This study considers the postcolonial background of the main characters, who confront the hybridity that occurs with identities that encounter a postcolonial culture. The domination of women is the most basic form of female subjugation in postcolonial Nigerian society. This is largely due to the cultural influences of patriarchal culture inherent in African society, which promotes prejudice against women and accepts violence against women and children as normal. Patriarchal violence is analyzed to explain how surveillance and punishment imprison the characters in the novel and isolate them from others. This analysis aims to show that liberation from oppression is only possible through unity with others, courage, and the achievement of dignity. / <p>Slutgiltigt godkännandedatum: 2022-06-28</p>

This study aims to enhance understanding of the experiences of women subjected to post-separation violence in their interactions with authorities. Employing a narrative analysis grounded in feminist theory, five autobiographies storys published between 2005 and 2020 were explored. A thematic analysis strategy was applied to identify and analyze patterns and themes within the women's narratives.  The findings show that sometimes women feel the support they receive is not enough. It's crucial for authorities, especially social services and the judiciary, to consider the study's findings to improve the support they offer. The study also points out that post-separation violence is known in Sweden but lacks specific research on its dynamics. I suggests more research into how social services can handle post-separation violence, given the uncertainty women in the study felt about the support they received. To conclude, future research should compare this study's findings with how women perceive support after the introduction of child contact centers in Swedish law. This could maybe improve the support provided by authorities to women who have experienced post-separation violence.