Introduction to Gender Studies:

Since the late 1980s it became more common to find the term ‘women’s studies’
contested and at times replaced in favour of ‘gender studies’, the rationale being that
feminist theories had opened up the wider possibility of the analysis of gender difference
and its maintenance, so that masculinity and male social roles might be of legitimate
concern.

Gender studies asks what it means to make gender salient, bringing a critical
eye to everything from labor conditions to healthcare access to popular culture.
Gender is never isolated from other factors that determine someone’s position
in the world, such as sexuality, race, class, ability, and religion, region of origin,
citizenship status, life experiences, and access to resources. Beyond studying
gender as an identity category, the field is invested in illuminating the structures
that naturalize, normalize, and discipline gender across historical and cultural
contexts.
Gender studies is a field of study that looks at the world from the perspective of gender.
This means that while studying something – the distribution of resources within a
household, a social unit like a caste group, a bill placed before Parliament, a development
project, the classification of different species – are done in a manner that takes into
account the fact that different genders exist in the world.

Gender studies refers to the academic study of the phenomena of gender. What is meant
by ‘gender’? Within feminist thought, a distinction has been made between ‘sex’ and
‘gender’. Sex here refers to the fact of being either male or female, and gender to the
cultural and social ideas of masculinity and femininity that are assigned to different sexes.

Gender studies looks at the manner in which the norms and patterns of behavior
associated with masculinity and femininity come into being. It studies the features of these
norms and patterns – which traits are considered masculine, which feminine, and why?
How do stereotypical models of men and women develop? How do they change over
time, and what factors contribute to changes? Also, and very importantly, what impact do
such stereotypes have upon actually existing men and women? This last point – that
gender studies also has a focus upon actually existing men and women – is significant
because within gender studies, there is a recognition that men and women do not exist in
isolation from their other social roles and positions. A women is not only a woman – within
our society, she also has a certain class position, caste position, religious identity, sexual
identity, and many more. All of these factors impact her life – therefore while studying her
life, all these factors need to be taken into consideration. Another feature of gender
studies is that it examines how the world is gendered.
Gender Studies as all inclusive
Together, these theoretical approaches have had a great impact on feminism, women
studies and men studies, and have been a key driver of the increased recognition of
diversity and difference, inequalities and differences, not just between genders but within
genders, based on class, sexuality, ethnicity, age, disability, nationality, religion, and
citizenship status, for example, are now attended to. In this context, ‘women studies’ and
‘men studies’ have become increasingly contested terms. Since the understanding of
gender has developed as a complex, multi-faceted and multi-disciplinary area, involving
the study of relationships within as well as between genders, the term ‘gender studies’
has gained currency, albeit not uncontested

What is Women’s Studies?

Women’s Studies as a subject allowed feminists to discuss and develop their ideas and theoretical
arguments. It began with a subversive ideal of an educational process that united theory with practice
to explore norms associated with gender, class, race, sexuality and other social inequalities. Ellen
Malos was a member of the Bristol Women’s Study Group which collectively produced the first British
‘Introduction to Women’s Studies’, titled Half the Sky(London: Little, Brown Books, 1979). Other
examples of ‘applied’ thinking included Jalna Hanmer’s influential research on violence against
women, which fed directly into local social services and police practice, and Ann Oakley’s work on
post-natal treatment. This, together with Sheila Kitzinger’s earlier studies, helped humanise medical
practices around childbirth. On the other hand, Barbara Taylor’s book on the utopian socialist feminists
of the 1840s, Eve and the New Jerusalem: Socialism and Feminism in the Nineteenth
Century (London: Virago, 1983), is just one example of feminist scholarship that had an inspirational
impact through its alternative ways of seeing the world.

Women's Studies

Offerings Origins and Organization, Intellectual Contours

Women's studies is an interdisciplinary field of inquiry that arose in the

early 1970s. Within thirty years, it developed into a recognized discipline
with undergraduate majors, masters and doctorates programs,
university departments and programs, a scholarly literature of books and
journals, and professional associations. The origins of women's studies
are multiple, the scope and nature of the inquiry extensive, and its
relationships to other campus and community organizations related to
women and gender diverse.
Offerings Origins and Organization
The first courses in women's studies were taught at Cornell University and San
Diego State University in 1969. They were undergraduate offerings, team taught,
and provided overviews of the issues that arose out of the women's liberation
movement. Many of the women who entered the academy in the next decade had
been influenced by the women's movement and undertook research on women.
Thus, scholarship on women grew in the existing disciplines and was
designated as feminist scholarship. Women's studies grew rapidly in the
1970s, so that by the end of the decade, the National Women's Studies
Association counted some 200 programs offering undergraduate minors
and majors. The introductory course covered some aspects of women's
history, an examination of quantitative research on women's status,
selected reading of literary works by women, and attention to issues
largely absent from the overall curriculum. These issues centered on the
oppression of women, sexual assault, questions of marriage and family,
the professional advancement of women, pay equity, and representations
of women in media, among other topics. Courses on identities and differences
among women, courses with a global focus, courses that linked with other new fields
(cultural studies, American studies, popular culture, media studies, ethnic studies,
gay and lesbian studies, queer studies) all emerged in the 1980s and 1990s. The most
significant shifts in course offerings at the undergraduate level occurred in the 1990s
as the study of gender and of race were added to the study of women. Feminist
scholarship on women grappled with the question of gender.
Women’s studies
Women Studies originated from the
Women Liberation Moment in 1960 and
1970s.
Women Studies may also be called as
theoretical foundations of Second Wave
Feminism
Focus of Women studies is only women.
Women Studies focuses on just women
issues; political rights, equality,
oppression of women
Women studies was the movement for
Freedom from sexism by necessity and
commitment to Freedom from patriarchal
norms.
Women studies is just a limited feminist
activist movement
Women Studies is interdisciplinary. It
revolves around social sciences,
humanities and arts.
Gender studies
Gender Studies originated in 1990s. the
edifice of Gender Studies was erected on
the work of women studies
Gender Studies may be called as
Theoretical foundations of Third Wave
Feminism
Gender studies focuses on all the Genders
including Men, Women, Transgender, LGBT.
Gender Studies is universal in nature. Its
theoretical basis include psychoanalytic,
structuralism, masculinity, Queer Theory,
LGBT Rights, Ecological Feminism and
Idealistic feminism.
Gender studies focuses on social
construction and how the world is gendered.
It views how the norms and patterns of
behavior associated with masculinity and
femininity came into being.
Gender studies shapes women’s lives in
relation to gender differences among men
and women.
Gender studies is the all-inclusive activist
movement. It has been the key driver of
diversity and differences not just between
genders but within genders based on class,
sexuality, ethnicity, age, disability,
nationality, religion and citizenship.
Gender Studies is multi-disciplinary in
nature, it has crossed the boundaries of
social sciences and has interacted with
economic, biology, environmental sciences,
etc.
Status of Women Studies in Pakistan:

Origin of Women Studies in Pakistan:

Establishment of National Commission on the Status of Women:

A long-standing demand of the women’s movement was the establishment of an independent

commission on the status of women. In 2000, the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW)
was created through an Ordinance. Its purpose is primarily to examine, review and monitor progress in
women’s empowerment and rights, in accordance with obligations under CEDAW and NPA, and in the
light of the recommendations of the reports on the status of women, especially the report produced in 1997.
Conditions for the Beginning of Women Studies:

Although the reservation with which Pakistan acceded to CEDAW, places constraints on the
MoWD, there is nonetheless a commitment to the overall development of women, including education.
Among the ministry’s aims and objectives is included the following: ‘to expeditiously and substantially
enhance women's literacy rates, improve attainment levels of girls and women at all levels of education
(both academic and professional) to reduce the gender gap, and to reorient existing curricula by making
them gender sensitive’.10 Thus, there is a policy commitment to higher and academic education under which
Women’s Studies Centres would fall. The commitment to research and analysis is also included among the
roles and functions of the NCSW, which states: ‘to encourage and sponsor research to generate information,
analysis and studies relating to women and gender issues to provide knowledge and awareness for rational
policy and strategic action’.11 Both institutions created for the development of women are thus integrally
related to the state of Women’s Studies as a discipline in Pakistan, especially since it is not a ‘purely’
academic discipline and has a strong base in activism and implementation. The
National Plan of Action (NPA), endorsed by the government in 1998, also recommends the promotion of
the ‘inter- disciplinary field of Women’s Studies in public and private educational/training institutions’ and
the strengthening of ‘action-based, policy directed research on women’s issues’.

The Initial Idea:

The action recommended was that the funding of Women’s Studies Centres at five universities
throughout Pakistan, should be ensured through the Ministry of Education and the UGC (now Higher
Education Commission). It was also recommended that there should be ‘linkages and exchange of
information and expertise between public and private Women’s Studies initiatives, including the Women’s
Studies curriculum of the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU).12 There is thus a commitment at the state
level to promote and encourage the discipline through ensured funding and support.

Women’s Studies Centers:

The Women’s Studies Centres in Pakistan can be divided into public, (those funded by the government
and/or international donors, and established at state universities), and those in the non-government sector
funded primarily or only by international donors. In 1989, the Women’s Development Division (now
Ministry of Women’s Development) established Women’s Studies Centres in five universities, initially as
a five-year project. The initial funding for the creation of the centres came from the Women’s Development
Division (now MoWD) and, subsequently, some centres were able to raise independent funding through
tuition fees and donations by foreign donors.

The Objectives behind these Centers:

(1) Critical examination of concepts, theories, models and methodologies that have been responsible for
excluding or rendering women invisible in scientific investigation and development;
(2) Redefinition of curricula at the university, colleges and high schools with a view to incorporating
knowledge on women and contributions by women scholars;
(3) Creation of awareness and generating a debate on women’s issues;
(4) Development of introductory foundation courses in Women’s Studies for the university students;
(5) Promotion of academic and action-oriented research on women in development;
(6) Identification, replication and translation of relevant materials from other languages into the national
language.

1. Women’s Studies department of the Allama Iqbal Open University:

The aims and objectives of the Women’s Studies department of the Allama Iqbal Open University,
established in 1997 with funding from the Ministry of Women’s Development, include among others; to
introduce Women’s Studies as an academic discipline through the distance learning system, create
awareness and sensitisation to gender issues at the community level through seminars and workshops, and
to launch media programmes to emphasise women’s role and their contributions in national and
international development. University also offers MSc gender and women studies.

2. Women Research and Resource Centre (WRRC) of the Fatima Jinnah Women University
(FJWU), Rawalpindi:

The aims and objectives of the Women Research and Resource Centre (WRRC) of the Fatima
Jinnah Women University (FJWU), Rawalpindi, are ‘to sensitise women on Gender issues and to focus on
Fatima Jinnah Women University students for enhancement of education and employment opportunities in
all disciplines’. It was established in 1999 emphasises ‘research in various gender and social issues, which
reflect on the academic and professional development of women by focussing on providing support services
for women students of FJWU’. The Department is presently offering two 16 years schooling degree
programs, Masters' and Bachelors' with scheme of studies cutting across almost all disciplines under the
broad umbrella of humanities. Graduate Program and Undergraduate Program

3. The Institute of Women Development Studies (IWDS) University of Sindh, Jamshoro:

The Institute of Women Development Studies (IWDS) was established in 1994 by the University
of Sindh, Jamshoro. The aim of the Institute is ‘to replace the outmoded value system with one that
emphasizes equality and mutual respect and dignity among members of both sexes and to help to remove
disparities in the provision of educational facilities’. The report by the IWDS indicates that the institute
seems to conflate Women’s Studies with Home Economics, which is a major problem as the discipline of
Women’s Studies challenges some of the basic assumptions of the ideology of Home Economics as a
knowledge form that is meant to re-create and reinforce the gender division of labour. The focus on the
‘uplift of rural women and enhancing the literacy rate, and installing better health practices’, reflects a social
welfare approach, which conflicts with a radical approach based on the transformation of material and
ideological structures of patriarchy. The Institute of Gender Studies, University of Sindh, Jamshoro was
established in 1994, since that day, it has contributed to the cause of gender and development in Sindh
province. The Institute has launched postgraduate academic programs in Women & Gender Studies and in
Home Economics and has organized several continuing education programs at Jamshoro, Hyderabad.
Besides in rural areas for the training and capacity building of various clientele groups including women,
academic administrative staff, political leadership and gender and development professional as well. Apart
from this, the Institute has started classes for postgraduate diploma in Community Development from 2005.
and “Women Studies” is also being offered as Minor subject for the student of other disciplines in Social
Sciences. Moreover, various programs of short certificate courses have been introduced in this institute
since 2009, the Institute of Gender Studies produces an Annual Research Journal “THE WOMEN” (HEC
Recognized). BS (Gender Studies): 4-Year Degree Program and M.Sc. in Home Economics 2-Year Degree
Program.

4. The Women’s Studies Centre, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad:

The Centre offer M. Sc. and PhD in Gender Studies for which academic program has been prepared
and recommended by the Academic Committee of the Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. The Women’s
Studies Centre, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, has offered three certificate courses attended by 64
participants. The courses were interdisciplinary in nature and content. Currently, the Centre offers a six
week introductory course in Women’s Studies, which is constrained due to a severe shortage of funds.
However, 24 students have enrolled for the course. The Centre has proposed to integrate Women’s Studies
into the other social science departments of the University. It has sought to integrate women and
development into Economics, feminism and anthropology into Anthropology, the history of the women’s
movement in Pakistan in the History department, women and peace in the Department of Strategic Studies
and Defence, gendered international relations within the International Relations department, the role of
women in the Pakistan Movement at the Institute of Pakistan Studies and gender issues in management
within the Department of Management and Business.

5. Centre of Excellence for Women’s Studies Karachi University:

The centre was established as a project in 1989 by the Ministry of Women Development,
Government of Pakistan. For the last 21 years CEWS has had a special appeal for students from all over
the country. The first M.A in Women’s Studies in Pakistan began in 1996 at the University of Karachi. In
2002 Centre initiated M.Phil / Ph.D program. From 2004 the discipline of Women’s Studies was introduced
as a subsidiary course at First Year (Hons.) level. From January 2007 BS (Hons.) 4 years program was
launched and from January 2010 M.A (Evening) program has also started. Innovative courses and seminars
offered at the Centre, and research conducted here, aims at generating a functional knowledge base with
the purpose of identifying hitherto under-used and neglected human resources for national growth. .The
Centre of Excellence for Women’s Studies programme at Karachi University reflects a comprehensive and
holistic approach in its course contents. There are introductory courses in Women’s Studies along with
courses on feminist theories, feminist research methods, women’s history in South Asia, the social
construction of gender and gender and development. Additionally, there are courses on the women’s
movement globally and in Pakistan, as well as courses on women in Islam, reproductive health, women and
media, women and the environment, women and law, women in technology and entrepreneurship, gender
and development and women and work. A brief overview of the course contents indicates that the feminist
perspectives underlies the courses, which have a global, national, local and cross-sectoral approach.

6. Women’s Studies Centre, University of Balochistan:

The department of gender studies and development has been established at the Women’s Studies
Centre, University of Balochistan in Quetta. A few certificate courses were conducted earlier but now a
complete department works at the university.

Courses offered at Women Study Centers and Gender Studies Departments:

There seems to be fairly wide variation in the kinds and levels of courses being taught at the Women’s
Studies Centres and departments in the public sector. The courses vary from highly theoretical and historical
ones to courses based on practical community work. In some cases, there seems to be immense confusion
regarding Women’s Studies as a discipline as courses in Home Economics, dietetics, flower making or
embroidery are defined as Women’s Studies courses. Whether a course is a Women’s Studies course
depends on how a subject matter is treated. Courses in Home Economics, embroidery and flower making
are generally not considered Women’s Studies courses. Occasionally, such courses contain conservative
issues, and in most cases the content of such courses is not transformative or the kind that challenges
existing structures of inequality and oppression. The basis of such courses in some public sector centres
comes from the erroneous assumption that Women’s Studies pertains to anything that deals with women,
irrespective of how conservative it might be. Although the subjects of art, crafts, literature, poetry, dance,
music and drama certainly form a part of the Women’s Studies approach, the difference lies in the manner
in which they are addressed. Arts, crafts and literature and poetry that contain the potential for
transformation are normally considered a part of Women’s Studies, but not when arts and crafts are
designed to reinforce patriarchal and dominant values that define what a ‘good housewife and mother’ must
know. Some centres, such as the one run by Karachi University, reflect a serious and rigorous Women’s
Studies approach in their course contents, while others, such as the centre in Jamshoro, Sindh or the Punjab
University, are not based on a clear conceptual understanding of Women’s Studies.

INTRODUCTION TO GENDER STUDIES Course description:

This course is designed as an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Gender Studies and is
focused on the ways that sex and gender manifest itself in social, cultural, and political contexts. Gender
Studies marks the rich terrain of intellectual inquiry now encompassed by interdisciplinary field, which
includes exploration of the histories and experiences of diverse masculinities and femininities. Students
will become acquainted with many of the critical questions and concepts feminist thought has developed
as tools for the study of gendered experiences. The course would help the students in developing critical
understanding of gender issues as well as prepare them to act as agents of change.
 Following courses are offered in different universities according to the scheme of higher
Education Commission of Pakistan:

1. Introduction to Gender Studies

2. Social Construction of Gender
3. Women and the Feminist Movements: A Global Perspective
4. Introduction to Feminist Theories
5. Women’s History in South Asia
6. Gender and Religion
7. Gender and Islam
8. Research Methodology
9. Gender and Development
10. Gender and Work
11. Gender and Environment
12. Gender and Human Rights
13. Women, Gender and Health
14. Feminist Research
15. Gender and Politics
16. Gender and Law in Pakistan
17. Psychology of Gender
18. Gender and Media
19. Gender, Technology and Entrepreneurship
20. Violence against Women
21. Status of women in Pakistan
22. Gender and governance
23. Gender and education
24. Women and science
25. Gender and Peace building

Degrees Awarded:

1. Institute of Gender Studies University of Sindh Jamshoro offers BS (Gender Studies): 4-Year
Degree Program and M.Sc. in Home Economics 2-Year Degree Program
2. Center for excellence in women studies Karachi university offers B.S. & Honors : Intermediate or
equivalent M.A (Evening) : Graduation M.S. : Masters or BS (Hons.) or equivalent
3. Center for excellence in Gender Studies Quaid e Azam University offers Masters in Gender Studies
4. Department of Gender Studies (GS) at FJWU offers 16 years schooling degree programs, Masters'
and Bachelors' with scheme of studies
5. Department of Gender Studies Punjab University offers BS (Hons) Gender Studies, M.Sc Gender
Studies, M.Phil Gender Studies, Ph.D Gender Studies.
6. Gender and Development Studies Department offers Two Years (4 Semesters) Master’s degree
program in Gender and Development Studies, Two Years (4 Semesters) M.Phil. degree program in
Gender and Development Studies
7. DEPARTMENT OF GENDER AND WOMEN STUDIES offers M.Sc. Gender & Women Studies
8. Department of Gender Studies University of Peshawar M.A Gender Studies.

Other Universities offering Bachelors and Masters Degree Programs in the discipline of Gender and
Women Studies:
 1. Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur
2. Bahuddin Zakriya University Multan
3. Sardar bahadur khan women university Quetta
4. Women University Swabi
5. University of Management and Technology
6. Government Fatima Jinnah college for women

Research and Publications:

1. The CEWS at Karachi University has completed about 100 major and minor studies on socio-
economic, legal, health and environment issues. These include studies by both the faculty and
students on home-based workers since Karachi is a major industrial and commercial Centre, while
others are on child trafficking, legal and health issues.

Some renowned publications:

Directory of Self-Employed Women of Karachi.

Female Home–based Workers: The Silent Work Force funded by ILO, 2003.
Trafficking of Women & Children in South Asia & Within Pakistan: A National Study, A
Project of LHRLA supported by CIDA-Pakistan, 2000.
Challenge for Change: Literacy for the Girl of Today, the Women of Tomorrow, 1995.
Directory of Experts & Resource Persons in Women &Development in Pakistan, 1994

Women Issues: Analytical Researches

Karachi Kay Nu Umar Mehnatkash Bachchey Aur Bachchiyan: Ek Jaiza.
Bridging the Gaps: Research at the Centre of Excellence for Women’s Studies,
Pakistan Mein Self-Employed Women: Ek Jaiza
Karachi ki Gadagar Larkiyan: Ek Jaiza

2. The Department of Women’s Studies, Punjab University has conducted a study of women’s
development NGOs in the Punjab, a study on the gender differentials in academic achievement
from primary to higher education in Pakistan, and a review of theses related to women’s issues at
the MA level at the Punjab University. All three studies have been published by the University.

Some publications:

1. Engendering the Nation State Vol. 1 & 2

2. Not a minute more: Facts and figures on violence against women

3. The Peshawar University, Department of Women’s Studies has published a study on the ‘UN
Conventions on the Rights of the Child, Islamic Law and Pakistan Legislation

1. A Glimpse into Her Shadow

2. "Anthropology, Feminism, and Literature: Blurring Boundaries."
3. A comparative study of CEDAW (UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women),
 4. The Women’s Studies Centre at the Balochistan University has conducted research studies on:

1. Communities, rural women’s access to health facilities,

2. A survey of women in jails and their needs assessments,
3. The economic contribution of women in development,

5. The Allama Iqbal Open University has published two research studies,

1. ‘Voiceless Melodies’,
2. ‘The Case Studies of Successful Women in Pakistan’.

6. The WRRC of the Fatima Jinnah Women University has supervised the writing of 16 theses on
gender issues at the MA levels. A monograph serious is being published, which includes

1. ‘A Critical Analysis of Government Policies, Plans and Funding of Education for Women from
1971- 2001’,
2. ‘Status of Women in the Light of Four Major Religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity
and Islam) in the Subcontinent with Special Reference to Pakistan’.
3. "Community Health and Hygiene Program with the Government Schools for improved
personal hygiene conditions" under HEC Social Integration Outreach Program

7. The faculty of Institute of Women Development Studies at the University of Sindh, Jamshoro, has
published two studies both by Professor Parveen Shah.

1. Multiple Research Articles in “The Women - Annual Research Journal of Gender

Studies”
Journals:

1. The Women’s Studies Centre at the Quaid-i-Azam University brought out the first issue of the
Journal of Women’s Studies based on the theme ‘Women and the Family’ in 1994.

2. The feminist and Women’s Studies periodicals to which the CEWS at Karachi subscribes
include Women’s Studies International Forum, Feminist Review, SIGN, and Studies on
Women, Abstracts, and Women’s Studies Quarterly.

3. Pakistan Journal of Women's Studies:Alam-e-Niswan

4. Biannual Journal of Gender and Social Issues FJWU

5. “The Women - Annual Research Journal of Gender Studies” University of Sindh

Professional Associations in the field of Women Studies:

Pakistan Women’s Studies Association (PWSA):

The idea of setting up a Pakistan Women’s Studies Association (PWSA) was first conceived by
Sabeeha Hafeez in 1987. The main aim of PWSA was ‘to introduce and promote the discipline of Women’s
Studies in Pakistan by providing a forum for exchange of ideas among experts, policy makers,
programmers, NGOs, teachers, other concerned organisations and the general public’.15 However, on
account of the pressing previous commitments of various members, the association could not be established.
Five years later, in March 1992, Pakistan Women’s Studies Association (PAWS) was set up by Tahira
Aftab, Professor of History and Director of the Women’s Study Centre at Karachi University. It was
intended to provide ‘a forum of interaction and coordination for those engaged in teaching, research or
action for woman’s development, national and internationally’. The Association has organised national
seminars on ‘Women’s Struggle for Survival’, ‘Human Rights Abuse in the Family’ and ‘Women’s Work
Experiences’. The journal Alam-e-Niswan (Pakistan Journal of Women’s Studies) is brought out by the
Association. It also brings out a quarterly newsletter called Panghat. The latter is distributed free of cost to
non-government organisations, grass roots workers, and concerned people working on women’s issues in
rural and semi-urban Sindh. PAWS has 72 members and has developed close links with women at the
grassroots level, in particular with self-employed women. It has also published other works. Some
Significant names in this regard:

 Publications
 Professional development activities
 Networking
 supporting women's studies scholarship
 Assistance in research, field data collection
 Translation service
Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM)
Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) encourages students and others interested
in the promotion of human rights in Pakistan to undergo internship programs at the AWAM for the period
of two months. Each intern is accorded a specific task which usually involves documentation, organizing
events and report writing.

Other Associations/ organizations that help in women studies literature:

1. All Pakistan Women Association

2. Aurat Foundation
3. Women in Struggle for Empowerment
4. Women’s rights association
Books and Teaching Materials:

In Center of Excellence for Women’s Studies, the library has about 4000 books Women and Development,
Women’s Status Law, Work, Education, History, Cross-cultural works, Health, Technology, Media,
Economics and Feminism, encyclopedia, periodicals, rare books, journals, reports, bibliographies and other
official documents. The library maintains press clippings on themes related to women in Pakistan. It also
has a separate collection on Madar-e-Millat Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah.The students of the Punjab University
Department of Women’s Studies use the library of the University for their studies. The Peshawar University
Department of Women’s Studies has a well-stocked library for the use of the students. The Women’s
Studies Centre at the University of Balochistan, Quetta, has it own resource centre/library equipped with
the available material on gender. The AIOU is in the process of preparing textbooks and readers as well as
support material for teaching.
The Allama Iqbal Open University is currently establishing a resource centre within the University’s central
library. The resource centre is being equipped with books, journals and internet facilities for which both
students and faculty may benefit.