UoK - Center of Excellence for Women's Studies : Introduction

The Centre of Excellence for Women's Studies at the University of Karachi, was set up in 1989 by the Ministry of Women Development, Government of Pakistan. The purpose of this academic discipline is to help ensure the integration of women into the mainstream of development. This object would be achieved through Women's Studies multidisciplinary programmes.

Aims & Objectives

Focus of Women's Studies
- research
- teaching
- publication

Some of the functions of the Center are:

Creating an awareness and generating a debate on women's issues with a view to influencing policy-planners, the educated public and women's pressure groups.
Critically examining existing theories, models and methodologies and modifying them for an integrated development of women in Pakistan.
Introducing and promoting the discipline of women's studies at College and University level.
Formulating curricula at University, College and high school level with a view of incorporating knowledge on women's issues, gender gaps in urban and rural development.
Documenting women's contributions in various fields of learning and activity.
Identifying, replicating and translating relevant material from other languages in the national language.
Program of Studies

Master in Women's Studies

In order to introduce the discipline of Women studies in Pakistan, the Centre conducted two certificate courses in 1992 and 1994 The courses were attended by both females and males from government organizations, NGO's, media and medical profession. Both the courses proved to be a success and created an awareness for integrating women into the mainstream of national development. After several meetings with the University of Karachi and University Grant Commission permission for the two years M.A. Course in Women's Studies has been granted by the University of Karachi and in 1996 the first batch of students took admission. In 2002 Center has launched M.Phil and Ph.D program .From 2004 it has introduced the decipline of Women's Studies as as subsidiary course at First Year (hons) level.