What are the main themes of The Property of Women by Sara Suleri?

The main theme is that Pakistani woman are too much reserve in their approach towards anything relating to sex. Because they consider their chastity to be their biggest asset.

In fact, the woman, Halima, has used the metaphor of Pather Nadi. She speaks indirectly of her first sexual activity with some boy either before or after marriage, as Pather Nadi always comes after 17 years. That is an average age of marriage or love in Pakistan. So, the story proves women talk about sex but it is culture that forces them to speak metaphorically.