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Revised Scheme and Syllabus for CSS Competitive Examination
PAPER: GENDER STUDIES PAST PAPERS 2016-2024 (100 MARKS)
I. Introduction to Gender Studies
Introduction to Gender Studies
Difference between Gender and Women Studies
2017 Q. No. 2. Define and discuss the discipline of gender studies and also differentiate between
women studies and gender studies.
2018 Q. No. 2. 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
2019 Q. No. 2. 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.
2023 Q. No. 3. Differentiate between gender studies and women’s studies. Discuss in detail the
multidisciplinary nature of gender studies.
Multi-disciplinary nature of Gender Studies
2022 Q. No. 2. Discuss in detail the multidisciplinary nature of gender studies.
2023 Q. No. 3. Differentiate between gender studies and women’s studies. Discuss in detail the
multidisciplinary nature of gender studies.
Autonomy vs. Integration Debate in Gender Studies
2016 Q. No. 2. 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.
2017 Q. No. 7. Write a comprehensive note on autonomy versus integration debate in gender studies.
2021 Q. No. 2. Discuss in detail what the autonomy and integration debate in gender studies have
important contribution for the development of the field of knowledge.
2023 Q. No. 2. Write a note on status of gender studies in Pakistan. Give your views on the autonomy
verses integration debate in gender studies.
Status of Gender Studies in Pakistan
2016 Q. No. 2. 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.
2018 Q. No. 2. 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
2019 Q. No. 2. 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.
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Revised Scheme and Syllabus for CSS Competitive Examination
2023 Q. No. 2. Write a note on status of gender studies in Pakistan. Give your views on the autonomy
verses integration debate in gender studies.
II. Social Construction of Gender
Historicizing Constructionism
2016 Q. No. 6. What are the theories of social construction of gender?
2020 Q. No. 2. Gender has multiple meanings. How do you deconstruct the word “GENDER”?
2020 Q. No. 4. 'Language is gendered', what does this imply? Explain with examples.
Problematizing the category of “Sex”: Queer Theory
Is “Sex” socially determined, too?
2024 Q. No. 8. Write short notes on the following: (10 each)
(a) Is ‘Sex’ also a social construct?
Masculinities and Femininity
2021 Q. No. 3. 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.
2023 Q. No. 4. Define the terms masculinity and femininity. In your opinion where do traditional gender
roles come from?
Nature versus Culture: A Debate in Gender Development
2018 Q. No. 3. Write a comprehensive essay on the ‘sex versus gender debate’ in feminist philosophy
and social sciences, reflecting nature versus nurture argument.
III. Feminist Theories and Practice
What is Feminism
2016 Q. No. 7. What is feminism? In what way Radical feminism is different from Socialist Feminism?
Liberal Feminism
Radical Feminism
2016 Q. No. 7. What is feminism? In what way Radical feminism is different from Socialist Feminism?
2024 Q. No. 8. Write short notes on the following: (10 each)
(b) Radical Feminism
Marxist/Socialist Feminism
2016 Q. No. 7. What is feminism? In what way Radical feminism is different from Socialist Feminism?
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Revised Scheme and Syllabus for CSS Competitive Examination
2021 Q. No. 4. 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.
Psychoanalytical Feminism
2021 Q. No. 5. 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.
Men’s Feminism
Postmodern Feminism
2019 Q. No. 8. Write short notes on any TWO of the following. (10 each)
b. Postmodern Feminism
2022 Q. No. 3. Describe any two Western Schools of thought about Feminism in detail.
IV. Feminist Movements
Feminist Movements in the West. First Wave, Second Wave and Third Wave Feminism. United
Nation Conferences on Women, Feminist Movements in Pakistan.
2016 Q. No. 5. Write a note on women’s movement in Pakistan. What are its strength and
weaknesses?
2018 Q. No. 8. Write short notes on any TWO of the followings: (10 each)
(a) ‘Gender Strategic Needs’ and ‘Gender Practical Needs’
(b) APWA and WAF
2019 Q. No. 3. Outline and explain the three major waves of feminist movements in the
West. Discuss the influence of these waves on feminist movements in Pakistan.
2020 Q. No. 6. “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.
2022 Q. No. 4. Shed light on first wave and third wave of feminism.
2022 Q. No. 6. Discuss in detail Feminist movements in Pakistan.
2023 Q. No. 5. Outline and explain the three major waves of feminist movements in the West. Discuss
the influence of these waves on feminist movements in Pakistan.
2024 Q. No. 4. Write in detail the impact of Western Feminist Movements on the feminist movement in
Pakistan. Compare the Pakistani feminist movements from past with the emerging trends of feminist
activism and their effects.
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Revised Scheme and Syllabus for CSS Competitive Examination
V. Gender and Development
Colonial and Capitalistic Perspectives of Gender
2020 Q. No. 3. How the colonial era influenced the status of women in subcontinent?
2022 Q. No. 7. What are Capitalistic Perspectives of gender? Explain.
2023 Q. No. 6. Write a detailed note on the colonial and capitalistic perspectives of gender.
2024 Q3. Write a note on the colonial and capitalistic perspectives of gender. Throw light on the thesis
that development is the new name of coloniality to context with the emerging perspectives of gender.
Gender Analysis of Development Theories; Modernization Theory, World System Theory,
Dependency Theory, Structural Functionalism.
2019 Q. No. 4. 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
2019 Q. No. 8. Write short notes on any TWO of the following. (10 each)
c. Structural Functionalism
2021 Q. No. 6. 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.
2024 Q. No. 5. Give a critical gender analysis of development theories.
Gender Approaches to Development: Women in Development (WID), Women and Development
(WAD), Gender and Development (GAD); Gender Critique of Structural Adjustment Policies
(SAPs).
2021 Q. No. 7. Critically analyze the various approaches to women’s development focusing on Women
in Development (WID), Women and Development (WAD) and Gender and Development (GAD).
2017 Q. No. 8. Write short notes on the following: (10 each)
b. Gender and development
2022 Q. No. 8. Discuss in detail Gender Critiqued of Structural Adjustment Policies
(SAPs).
Globalization and Gender
2017 Q. No. 6. “Powerful forces of globalization have highlighted various gender issues across cultures
and throughout the globe.” Discuss by quoting examples from developing countries.
2018 Q. No. 6. 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?
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Revised Scheme and Syllabus for CSS Competitive Examination
2019 Q. No. 5. 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.
VI. Status of Women in Pakistan
Status of Women’s health in Pakistan
2017 Q. No. 5. What is the status of women’s health in Pakistan? How it could be improved within the
available economic resources?
2023 Q. No. 7. Elucidate the current health status of women in Pakistan. What measures could be
taken to improve the women's status as a whole? Support your arguments with suitable examples.
2024 Q2. An Egyptian doctor Mahmoud Fathallah uses the term ‘maternity death road while discussing
issues of women’s maternal health. Discuss women health issues in context with Pakistan’s social,
cultural and demographic situation.
Status of Women in Education
Women and Employment
2019 Q. No. 6. 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.
2020 Q. No. 5. 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
Women and Law
2018 Q. No. 5. 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?
2024 Q. No. 6. What is gender-based violence? What forms of gender-based violence are given in the
“Punjab protection of women against gender-based violence act 2016”? What are the consequences of
gender-based violence on women?
VII. Gender and Governance
Defining Governance
Suffragist Movement
2019 Q. No. 8. Write short notes on any TWO of the following. (10 each)
a. Suffragist movement
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Revised Scheme and Syllabus for CSS Competitive Examination
Gender Issues in Women as Voters
Gender Issues in Women as Candidates
2024 Q. No. 7. Is political participation a human right? If so, what are the obstacles faced by women
politicians of Pakistan to pursue a career in politics? What is the impact of political quota system on
this?
Gender Issues in Women as Representatives
2021 Q. No. 5. According to your opinion, what are the main issues in women as representatives in
Pakistan?
Impact of Political Quota in Pakistan
2016 Q. No. 4. What are the pros and cons of gender quota in politics? Give your views on the impact
of gender quota in politics in Pakistan.
2017 Q. No. 4. “Women active political participation could stabilize democracy and boost economic
development.” Comment on this statement within context of socio-economic realities of Pakistani
society.
2018 Q. No. 4. What type(s) of feminism can elevate the social-cultural, economic and political status of
women in Pakistan?
2018 Q. No. 7. 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?
2021 Q. No. 8. 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.
VIII. Gender Based Violence
Defining Gender Based Violence
Theories of Violence against Women
Structural and Direct Forms of Violence
Strategies to Eliminate Violence against Women
2016 Q. No. 3. 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?
2017 Q. No. 3. 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?
2017 Q. No. 8. Write short notes on the following: (10 each)
a. Honor killing
2018 Q. No. 8. Write short notes on any TWO of the followings: (10 each)
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Revised Scheme and Syllabus for CSS Competitive Examination
(c) Government Initiative for combating the menace of violence against women
2020 Q. No. 7. Comment on the power and control relationship in gender based violence.
2023 Q. No. 8. Define gender based violence. Explain various forms of violence against women in
Pakistan and devise some practical strategies which can be helpful in the eradication of gender based
violence from our society.
2024 Q. No. 6. What is gender-based violence? What forms of gender-based violence are given in the
“Punjab protection of women against gender-based violence act 2016”? What are the consequences of
gender-based violence on women?
IX. Case Studies of:
Mukhtaran Mai
2019 Q. No. 7. Explain the structural and direct forms of violence against women in the
Pakistani society by highlighting the case study of Mukhtaran Mai.
Mallala Yousaf Zai
Shermin Ubaid Chinoy
2020 Q. No. 8. Discuss the background of the two Oscar winning documentaries by Sharmeen Obaid.
SUGGESTED READINGS
S.No. Title Author
1. Theories of Women Studies Eds., Bowles. Gloria and
Renate D. Klein
2. Introduction: Theories of Women Studies and the Bowles G and Renate, K.
Autonomy/ Integration Debate in Theories of
Women Studies.
3. The State of the Discipline of Women Studies in Saigol, Rubina
Pakistan in Social Sciences in Pakistan
4. The State of Women Studies in Pakistan in Bari, Farzana
Journal of Asian Women Studies
5. Women’s Law in Legal Education and Practice in Shaheed, F. and Mehdi, R.
Pakistan. (ed.) (1997)
6. Locating the self: Perspectives on Women and Khan, N.S. et al.(ed.) (1998)
Multiple Identities.
7. The Social Construction of Gender Lorber, Judith
8. Queer Theory Lorber, Judith
9. Gender,USA, Harriet Bradley(2013)
10. Women of Pakistan: Two Steps Forward, One Mumtaz,Khawar& Shaheed,
Step Back. Farida(1987)
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Revised Scheme and Syllabus for CSS Competitive Examination
S.No. Title Author
11. Feminism and its Relevance in South Asia Saeed K, Nighat & Bahsin,
Kamla
12. Feminist Thoughts Tong, Rosemarie
13. Reversed Realities Kabeer, Naila
14. Gender Planning and Development Moser, Caroline
15. Electoral Politics: Making Quotas Work For Hoodfar,Homa&Tajali, Mona
Women. (2011)
16. The Gender face of Asian Politics Ayaz, Aazar &
Fleschenberg,
Andrea(2009)
17. Performance Assessment of Women Bari, Farzan (2002)
Parliamentarians in Pakistan
18. Base line Report: Women’s Participation in Zia, Shahla & Bari, Farzana.
Political and Public Life (1999)
19. Freedom from Violence Schuler, Margarte (1992)
20. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Report
