Status of Gender Studies in

Pakistan
 Poor social economic status of women lead to
development of the subject
 The subject evolved in west and so needed tailoring
according to our requirements
 Same content but different context to keep in mind
requirements, aspirations, nature and behaviors of
pakistani people
 According to belief and value system
 Women Studies in Pakistan
1. The Center of Excellence for Gender/ Women
Studies (CEWS)/ Women Studies in 1989 by
Ministry of Development in 5 public
Universities
2. First M.A in Women Studies began in 1996 at
university of Karachi
3. M.phil PhD started in 2002
 Inception of Pakistan Association For
Women’s Studies
• Created in March 1991 in Karachi to raise feminist
consciousness to bring empowerment of women by
creating gender equity and social justice
• PAWS provided forum for 1)interaction and coordination,
2) re-examine and develop feminist research and 3)
training method according to Pakistani situation
• Seminars, conferences, workshops on women’s studies
and feminist issues
• Gender sensitive Research and training
Gender and Women Studies at Allama Iqbal
Open University
• Started in mid 1990’s
• Patronage by Ministry of Women and
Development in 1198
• Open to both males and females
• Shortage of faculty
• Lack of research
 Other Universities
• BZU both Multan and Lahore
• QAU
• University of Peshawar
• Women University, Islamabad
 Curriculum
• HEC guideline for Women’s Studies
• Indigenous perspective
• Dearth of local and indigenous research
 Conclusion
• Being developed
• Needs integration
• Needs research
• Incorporation with other social sciences