Gender Studies

Feminism: Theory that calls for equal treatment for men and women.

1. Liberal Feminism: Gender equality and equality of opportunity for all (as all humans are born equal).
2. Marxist Feminism: Criticizes Capitalism (root-cause).
3. Socialist Feminism: Capitalism + Patriarchy.
4. Development Feminism: Universal human rights & economic resources to women also.
5. Radical Feminism: Patriarchy -> Economic exploitation and sexual aggression
6. Psychoanalytic Feminism: Oedipus Complex (Sigmun Freud)-> attraction to parent of the opposite gender
7. Men’s Feminism: Exploitation & disintegration of other weaker men + pressure on them to be masculine
8. Post Modern/Queer Theory: Sexuality & Gender are shifting, fluid concepts. Promote LGBT rights. Acc. to
them, the environment defines and reiterates the present roles/structures. Against binary genders!

Feminist Movements: Purpose was to end all kinds of discrimination against women.
1. 1st Wave (Liberal Feminists): Right to vote (enfranchisement) + break the ‘culture of domesticity’
2. 2nd Wave (Radical & Marxist feminism): “Personal is political” ; Social opportunities and private
lives. Wanted to challenge patriarchy. ‘Bitch manifesto’, ‘sisterhood’.
Proposed that factors of production should be collectively owned. 2 nd Wave was more multi-
dimensional and touched personal+social domains. However, was overshadowed by Vietnam war
3. 3rd Wave (Post Modern/Queer): “Transversal Politics”. Continues till today globally! Stood against
discrimination in nationality, religion and ethnicity. Pushed the need for dialogue.
Criticized the sexist language, Use of IT, Deconstruction of categorical thinking, Oppression and
proposed the Queer Theory + LGBT rights/recognition

UN Conferences on Women: M.C.N.B

Mexico Copenhagn198 Nairobi Beijing

1975 0 1985 1995

1. Mexico: Gender equality, Integration, world peace. First ‘Plan Of Action’.

INSTRAW, UNIFEM
2. Copenhagen: 145 members. Great apparent success on the prior POA but major differences
in actuality; women were not really empowered as they thought.
3 key areas: Education, Health, Employment
CEDAW
3. Nairobi: “Birth of Global Feminism” -> Equality, peace & development.
But same problem so, aimed to extend women equality in every sphere of human activity.
4. Beijing: “Legacy of Success”
> Full empowerment of women
> Gender equality as a universal phenomenon (12 key areas)
> Gender mainstreaming (affect on men and women)

Feminism in Pakistan
 Feminism is NOT a complete myth in Pakistan
 2 Types: Modern Islamic Feminists (women rights in Islam) & Secular Feminists
(Universal rights)
1. Fatimah Jinnah championed the cause of women’s liberation throughout her life
 2. Foundation of APWA by Beghum Rana Liaqat
3. Opposition to Zia’s Hudood ordinance – Women Action Forum + Protests against 4 M’s
4. Boost under Benazir Bhutto (DMG and Foreign Service were also opened for women)
5. Thrown on back-burner under Nawaz Sharif
6. Musharraf: Some lost ground reclaimed (Protection of Women Act, Anti-sexual
Harassment Bill)
7. Film: “Aurat Raaj” by Rangeela that challenged male chauvinism  way ahead of time

Is Sex socially constructed?

Yes, there are solid reasons to argue that ‘sex’ is also socially constructed.

1. Caster Semenya- The South African Athlete (LA Times questioning her abilities to
compete as a woman)
2. Biological basis of sex: Chromosomes XX, YY; but what about Social side?
3. Physical traits can be similar – Breasts come in all sizes + Visual Spatial abilities
4. Transgender can choose/adopt sex according to will (they have both characteristics)
5. Hormones may not follow as instructed – Alpha 5 Reductase (male genitals not
prominent)
6. Inter-sex condition in babies.

Nature (Biology) vs Nurture (Environment/Culture) Debate

1. Extreme Nature View:
a) Chromosomes XX (girl) and XY (boy)
b) Visual-Spatial & Verbal Abilities
c) Physiological differences (boys are stronger, girls are emotional etc.)
d) Batista Boys (born with female genitals but later became men at puberty)

2. Extreme Nurture View:

a) Operant conditioning (behaviors are learned on reward & punishment)
b) Social Learning Theory (existing roles and norms)
c) Case of gays (who have many sisters) e.g. Saifi in film- ‘Bol’

3. Integrationist Approach:
Middle course. Role of both aforementioned views. More realistic!

Queer Theory
 Queer means something unusual that does not conform to the established norms
 Promotion of LGBT rights; against binary categorical thinking of gender
 Judith Butler: ‘Society and media define and reinforce gender roles and stereotypes
 Hollywood film- ‘Brokeback Mountain’ challenged the typical American masculinity
 Queers are against the rigid categories & assert that gender and sex are fluid concepts

Gender Based Violence (GBV) | Theories

1. Psychopathology Theory: Men are mentally ill

2. Learned Behavior: Socially learned and they saw it this way. Hence, they do the same.
3. Loss of Control Theory: Men lose temper with women
 4. Learned helplessness Theory: Women become complacent and see it as normal (PTSD)
5. Cycle of violence Theory: Ups and downs. Good (honeymoon) & bad phases
6. Relationship conflict Theory: Woman provokes man by below-the-belt arguments
7. Power & Control Theory: Men’s way to assert dominance and power
8. Traumatic Bonding Theory: Women start rationalizing it (PTSD)
9. Resource Theory: Power is determined by who contributes more resources
10. Psychodynamic Theory: ‘Aggression’ is an outcome of childhood experiences

Domestic Violence
1. Physical (emotional, isolation, children)
2. Sexual
3. Economic
Cases in Pakistan: Dowry murder, Honor killing (Vani, Karo Kari), Trafficking, Acid
attacks, Watta-Satta, Haqbaqshi (Quran marriage)
How to counter it?
 State obligations
 Provision of Education (25-A)
 Awareness campaigns
 Strict law enforcement (CEDAW etc.)
 Extending health cover to women
 Pursuance of MDG’s
 Economic independence + empowerment

Gender Stereotyping Types:

1. Personality Traits
2. Domestic Behaviors
3. Occupations | Workplaces
4. Physical appearance
5. Media
Impacts:
 Hinders personal growth
 Kills expression and creativity
 Cause of inequality
 Judith Loberer – ‘A Night to His Day’

Remedies:

 Vibrant role of Media

 State’s awareness campaigns
 Switching gender roles (co-parenting and breaking stereotypes)
 Being vocal and pointing out
 Non-usage of sexist words/phrases

Gender Studies in Pakistan

1. CEWS 1989 (Center of Excellence for Gender/Women Studies)

2. First MA in University of Karachi
3. PAWS 1991 (Pakistan Association for Women Studies)
4. Gender & Women Studies at Allama Iqbal Open University
5. Curriculum by HEC
6. Conclusion

Gender Studies vs Women Studies

Gender Studies Women Studies

 Interdisciplinary field  Only women-centric
 Women, Men & LGBT studies  Women only
 Relatively newer field  Older discipline
 Gender equality in all domains  Women in particular
 Off-shoot of 3rd wave feminism  Related to 2nd wave feminism
 Integrated  Autonomous
 Holistic  Women in isolation

Case studies
1. Mukhtaran Mai
 Born in Meerwala, Muzaffargarh; survivor of gang-rape in 2002 after her refusal
to marry Abdul Khaliq, whose sister was accused of having sex her bro.
 US media called her a ‘faceless, illiterate, peasant girl’ but she transcended her
role a lot and gained immense popularity in the global arena.
a) Depicts feudal culture of rural areas
b) Lax attitude of Police (Masjid Imam pursued her case)
c) Depicts patriarchy (nobody helped her during rape)
d) Government’s unconstitutional measures (Musharraf’s efforts to shun;
passport confiscated and forced to reject Amnesty Inter.’s invitation)
 MMWWO Welfare Organization + Built 2 schools

2. Malala Yousafzai
 15 year old gunshot in a school bus (2012) by the Taliban after receiving threats for
being vocal about girls’ right to education.
 Huge international outcry from the masses
 Fatwa launced by 50 ulemas against Taliban
 Ugly side: Plight of people under Taliban gave pretext to drone strikes in the areas
 Some in the west used derogatory terms like some even called her a free-loader
 Conspiracy school of thought: She was an American agent
 Won a Nobel Prize

3. Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy

 “Women can do everything; men can do the rest” (Sharmeen Obaid)
 Exposed grave societal issues. Was acknowledged & criticized by many as well
 Won 2 Oscar and Livingston awards; 100 most influential people (Times
Magazine)
  Promoted soft image of Pakistan + highlighted real societal dilemmas
 Documentaries
a) “Saving Face” : Dr. Jawad who treats Acid victims
b) “Humaira – The Dream Character”: Women educates 1200
c) “Lifting the Veil”: On Lives of Afghani women
d) “Transgenders: Pakistan’s Open Secret”
e) “Iraq – The Lost Cause”: How terrorism destroyed lives
f) “Children of Taliban”: Life under Taliban
g) “Teen Bahadur”: 3D film  3 children fight Mangu (evil man)

Status of Women | Politics (Pakistan) – Add Rubina Saigol’s report for Political Quota

1. Sex stereotyping
2. Few tickets to women on general seats
3. Many do not have ID cards
4. Indirect election
5. Incompetence of NADRA + Absence of women only voting centers

Status of Women | Health (Pakistan)

a) Anemia
b) Delays in pregnancy (80% delivered at home)
c) Unsafe abortions
d) Menopausal women
e) Cancers
f) Violence
g) Mental health

Status of Women | Education (Pakistan)

a) 40% + never enroll in school

b) Access to schools (commutation problem)
c) Separate schools (co-ed reluctance)
d) Child labor (Bonded Labor)
e) Early marriages (Legal age raised to 18 now  Good step)
f) Gender stereotyping (Girls are for domestic work etc.)
g) Feudal Culture / Patriarchy (Males define societal norms)
h) Limited career choices (stereotyped roles)
i) Case of Malala Yousafzai
j) Weak commitment to MDG’s.

Status of Women | Work (Pakistan)

a) Working late (lax attitude in companies + no overtime)

b) Maternity leave (12 weeks is official)
c) Harassment (CEDAW and Work Place Harassment Act)
d) Differential wage ($0.77 to $1)
e) Norms and dressing (Burqas, eastern wear)
f) Low job security (preference for male counterparts)
g) Limited quotas in companies
Gender Report: Bridging the fault lines: Rethinking Political Quota in Pak (Rubina Saigol)

 33% seats should be reserved for women in National Legislature

 Selection should be merit-based
 In elections, at least 20% of the total turnout should be women
 All decision making bodies should comprise 33% women
 More women induction in ECP + Women only polling stations + Transport facility
 All women registered with NADRA should automatically be enrolled in voting-list

Gender Report: Night to His Day (Judith Lorber)

 Illustration of baby in train – Gender done (Social construction)

 Parenting is also gendered!
 Gender is NOT attached to biological substratum
 1972, Ms. Magazine published Lois Gould's fantasy of how to raise a child free of gender-typing.
 Gender inequality - the devaluation of "women" and the social domination of "men" - is produced and
maintained by identifiable social processes and built into the general social structure and individual
identities deliberately and purposefully.
 ‘Sex’ and ‘Gender’ is deliberately reinforced to keep the narratives of domination and struggle charged!

Gender Report: Feminism and Women’s movement in Pakistan (Rubin Saigol)

The women’s movement is no longer pitted only against the patriarchal social, economic and political structures;
there is now palpable danger from non-state actors who challenge the writ of state.

WID (Women in Development) - 1970

 Calls for addressing women issues in development projects.

 Integrating women in development
 Recognition of women as productive members of the society
 Despite improvements, several problems still persist for women
 Ester Boserup: Highlighted the importance of women in agricultural economy.
 So, lending by International organizations to developing countries
 Recognizing women’s role in national development
 SUGGESSTIONS: Education & Training, Employment opportunities, Credit, Technical cooperation, RnD.

Gender And Development (GAD) - 1980

 Questioned socially constructed gender roles that are reinforced by the society
 Assert that it is the state’s responsibility to look after the children, not women’s.
 Solution proposed: Refine/Switch gender roles
 All should enjoy equal rights + Equality of opportunity = Gender parity
 Same remuneration, safety and work-life balance
 Adopting ILO convention to aid women in every way as they are imp. contributors in dvlpmnt
  Need for a legal framework

SAP (Structural Adjustment Programs) - 1980

 Economic policies and support programs for developing economies

 IMF & World Bank give loans
 Structural Adj. Policies: Privatization, Trade liberalization, Currency devaluation, deregulation, austerity,
Reduced Public Spending etc.
 Criticisms: Loss of National Sovereignty, inequality, inflation, reduced public spending, deficits
 Case of Pakistan and perpetual reliance on foreign loans and inexorable debt-cycle
 Misappropriation of funds by the corrupt politicians

Latest Stats and Figures

 Gender Inequality Index: 148th | Deaths per 100,000: 178

 Women Share of Seats in Parliament: 20% | Women are delivered at home: 80%
 Women Labor Force Participation Rate: 24.9% | Married before Age 18: 63%
 Gender Pay Gap: 43.8% |