GENDER STUDIES (PAST PAPERS)

2021
1. Discuss in detail what the autonomy and integration debate in gender studies have important contribution for the
development of the field of knowledge.
2. Masculinity and femininity are the deeply engraved realities since distant past in human history. Discuss various
theoretical debates on the construction of masculinity and femininity to make it explicit that the formation of both is
either natural or social reality. Support your arguments with real life examples.
3. Marxist feminism is a philosophical variant of feminism that incorporates and extends Marxist theory and analyzes the
ways in which women are exploited through capitalism and the individual ownership of private property. Discuss the
development of Marxist/Socialist feminism and the philosophical stance they hold to discuss gender issues and
exploitation.
4. Psychoanalytic feminism is a theory of oppression, which asserts that men have an inherent psychological need to
subjugate women. As elaborated, give a detailed analysis of the gender oppression and women’s subordination
promulgated by Psychoanalytic Feminism.
5. Modernization Theory blames internal cultural factors for women’s subordination in the developing world. Discuss and
elaborate the given statement in respect to Modernization Perspectives.
6. Critically analyze the various approaches to women’s development focusing on Women in Development (WID),
Women and Development (WAD) and Gender and Development (GAD).
7. Despite the entry of women legislators into politics on a 17 percent quota in national and provincial assemblies, still
there are voices that “is Pakistan’s Gender Quota in parliament showing results?”. Rethink and discuss that how
quotas can lead to political mainstreaming of women in Pakistan.

2020
1. Gender has multiple meanings. How do you deconstruct the word “GENDER”?
2. How the colonial era influenced the status of women in subcontinent?
3. 'Language is gendered', what does this imply? Explain with examples.
4. Women need to be in leadership positions to pull more women into leadership roles. Is this suggestion that women
need to “pull each other up” a useful one, or is that inappropriate preferential treatment.
5. “For realizing, in letter and spirit, the ideals of a democratic welfare state, it is necessary to institute a system which
fully guarantees human rights, generates conducive environment for the pragmatic use and beneficial enjoyment of
human rights and provides operative safeguards and expeditious remedy against any violation of human rights”.
Critically evaluate the statement with special reference to Pakistan.
6. Comment on the power and control relationship in gender-based violence.
7. Discuss the background of the two Oscar winning documentaries by Sharmeen Obiod.
 2019
1. How do you differentiate the discipline of Gender Studies from that of Women Studies? Historically trace the need for
the establishment of Gender Studies as a distinct discipline and its scope and significance with especial reference to
Pakistan.
2. Outline and explain the three major waves of feminist movements in the West. Discuss the influence of these waves
on feminist movements in Pakistan.
3. Explain the relevance of Modernization Theory and Dependency Theory to gender equality. Critically analyze the
subordination of women in modern societies in the light of these two theories.
4. The process of globalization has connected nations worldwide and has made the world a global village, yet it has also
increased inequalities across nations. Discuss the gendered inequalities created and promoted by the process of
globalization in contemporary societies worldwide.
5. Women’s participation in labor force has increased recently yet women continue to perform their reproductive roles.
Discuss the challenges encountered by women as a result of their paid employment worldwide with especial reference
to Pakistan.
6. Explain the structural and direct forms of violence against women in the Pakistani society by highlighting the case
study of Mukhtaran Mai.
7. Write short notes on any TWO of the following.
a. Suffragist movement.
b. Postmodern Feminism.
c. Structural Functionalism.

2018
1. What are the fundamental differences between Gender Studies and Women's Studies? Substantiate your argument(s)
with examples. Highlight the current status of women studies in Pakistan
2. Write a comprehensive essay on the ‘sex versus gender debate’ in feminist philosophy and social sciences, reflecting
nature versus nurture argument.
3. What type(s) of feminism can elevate the social-cultural, economic and political status of women in Pakistan?
4. What are the reasons responsible for ranking Pakistan as the second-worst country in the world for gender inequality
despite Pakistan commitment to many international conventions and strong commitment to gender equality in 1973
constitution?
5. In the last two decades, globalization has had a huge impact on the lives of women in developing nations, including
Pakistan. What are the impacts of global political economy on Pakistani women?
6. Believing in the statement that “women cover half the sky”, do you think we need equal number of women in all
spheres of public domain, especially in politics?
7. Write short notes on any TWO of the followings:
a. ‘Gender Strategic Needs’ and ‘Gender Practical Needs’
 b. APWA and WAF
c. Government Initiative for combating the menace of violence against women.

2017
1. Define and discuss the discipline of gender studies and also differentiate between women studies and gender studies.
2. What are the different forms of gender-based violence and, in your opinion, what could be the workable strategies to
eliminate gender-based violence from Pakistani society?
3. “Women active political participation could stabilize democracy and boost economic development.” Comment on this
statement within context of socio-economic realities of Pakistani society.
4. What is the status of women’s health in Pakistan? How it could be improved within the available economic resources?
5. “Powerful forces of globalization have highlighted various gender issues across cultures and throughout the globe.”
Discuss by quoting examples from developing countries.
6. Write a comprehensive note on autonomy versus integration debate in gender studies.
7. Write short notes on the following:
a. Honor killing.
b. Gender and development.
d. Government Initiative for combating the menace of violence against women.

2016
1. Write a note on the status of women’s studies in Pakistan and give your views on the autonomy/integration debate in
Women’s Studies.
2. What are the sites and forms of violence against women in Pakistan and how in your view this menace can be
eliminated from our society?
3. What are the pros and cons of gender quota in politics? Give your views on the impact of gender quota in politics in
Pakistan.
4. Write a note on women’s movement in Pakistan. What are its strength and weaknesses?
5. What are the theories of social construction of gender?
6. What is feminism? In what way Radical feminism is different from Socialist Feminism?
7. Critically review the Gender and Development Approaches on the following:
a. Women in Development (WID).
b. Women and Development (WAD)
c. Gender and Development (GAD).