Established in 1989 by the Ministry of Women Development in the five public Universities across Pakistan as “Centre of Excellence in Women’ s Studies”.

The Project was part of the overall commitments of the government to raise women’s status in the country. These Centre were an initial step towards the efforts made in Pakistan to conduct research and gather information on the condition and problems of women.

The Centre of Excellence in Women’s Studies at the University of the Punjab became operative in June 1997.

In less than 3 years, the CEWS did substantial research work and worked hard in developing Scheme of Studies, Statues, Rules and Regulations for starting M.A Women’s Studies

In 2001, the CEWS was transformed into regular department of the University.

Provide and promote facilities for advanced study and research in Women/Gender Studies.

Provide trained personnel for various department/organizations working for the development and emancipation of women, and also to increase their employment in such institutions.

Develop a body of knowledge in women/gender studies so as to sensitize various quarters of the society about gender issues, the expected and ideal roles of women in society.

Facilitate the development of interdisciplinary scholarship related to women.

Provide support services to women by offering continuing education programs/certificates and degrees.

Establish a Library and Resource Centre with a good collection of books, journals and other materials.

Conduct research on women related issues, publish and disseminate the results of such research.

Master’s Degree programme “Master, of Arts in Gender Studies”

In the morning as regular program

In the afternoon on self-supporting basis

Duration 2 years

Teaching System Semester System

Session begins October

Admission Criteria B.A/B.Sc.

Seats 54

M.Phil leading to Ph.D in Gender Studies

Duration 4 years

Teaching system Semester System

Session begins October

Admission criteria M.A. in Social Science( Pref.

to M.A in Women/Gender Studies)

Seats 15

Introduce “Introduction to Gender Studies” as course in Institute of

Communication Studies, Sociology, Social Work , Institute of Education and Research and Centre of Excellence in Environmental Sciences.

Discussions with more Departments/ Institutes under process.

Act as a Resource Centre on Gender Studies for faculty and students within and outside the university.

Organized various study circles, and discussions with academia on women/gender related issues.

Developing “Gender Policy” for the university.

Introduced Women’s Studies at the Bachelors level in all the affiliated colleges with Punjab University.

Providing Trained Professionals The Department of Gender Studies is working to part gender knowledge,

expertise and awareness by developing a cadre of professionals (gender specialists). These young professionals, entering the practical field, effectively utilize their skills, knowledge and expertise and positively contribute towards achieving the goal of gender equality in all sectors. The students are working in GRAP, SMEDA, Lahore College Women University (6/6 Lectures), Fatima Jinnah Women University, Govt. Degree College Fatima Jinnah Chuna Mandi, Lahore(3/3 Lectures).

The students of this department make up a significant human resource/manpower whose skills are being used & explored for various purposes ranging from research work, data collection, data analysis to implementation, monitoring & evaluation developmental projects & programmes. The students are working in various multinational organization like UNICEF, ActionAid, Aurat Foundation, Simorgh, CCHD and many other

Publish a bi-annual journal “Journal of Gender and Development”. Invites papers from both National and International researchers.

This deptt has created a significant body of knowledge on gender and development issues in the from of student's thesis.

A library equipped with at least 2000 books on different issues and topics related to gender Studies

The department has conducted several workshops and organized National and International seminars/conferences.

Some of which are listed below: Developed Training Module for the Gender Justice Through Musalihat

Anjuman Project in collaboration with UNDP and Ministry of Local Bodies, Govt. of Punjab. Also conducted ToTs (2008).

Panal Discussion on “Political role of women in Pakistan”, with

University academia and Female Parliamentarians, Punjab Assembly (2008).

International Conference on “Role of Women in Social Transformation”.

Speakers were invited form America, Germany, Iran, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Speakers from all over the Pakistan also participated (2007).

Seminar on “Women Rights on Human Rights”.

Seminar on “Women Empowerment in the new Millennium”

The Department has a strong liaison with Directorate of Women Development, (Punjab) Ministry of Social Welfare & Women Development (Punjab) and various other Multi-National and National organizations.

The students are regularly placed as part of internship programme in these organization.

Study Circles are regularly arranged in various NGOs.

The Department started its regular functioning in 2001 with minimal funding and bare minimum loaned accommodation.

Consistent commitment and devotion overcome the resource constraints.

Recently, the department has shifted to its own independent building. However, faces the challenge of providing basic fix and fixture in the building.

The subject is new with no faculty with specified training in the subject. Considering the inter-disciplinary nature of the subject we benefited from highly trained professionals and practitioners in relevant fields. We still face the shortage of qualified staff. Efforts are underway to contact and invite professionals from other countries for durations convenient to them. Three faculty members of the department have enrolled in Ph.D. programme.

The subject is not only nascent in Pakistan, it is in its infancy even in the developed world. Books and literature is scanty. Moreover, the titles given in publishers’ catalogues are not available in Pakistan and book sellers show reluctance to import because of comparatively higher cost for lesser number of books. We try to explore other sources to identify and purchase material. But we still face the shortage of print material.