The Importance of Women Studies Program at Higher Level , Pakistan

Dr. Anila Fatima Shakil. This research study emphasized on the importance of Women Studies program at higher level vis-à-vis the current advancement within the academic programs in all over the world.The need of this program is not only due to its interdisciplinary academic status but also to provide vast range of human experiences, ideologies, developing critical and communication skills and combining psycho-social and political-historical understandings of women as they impact society.The methodology of this research study was based on survey method and the population was the students of Karachi University. The views of students were sought out regarding the need and importance of Women Studies program at higher level in Karachi.Hundred respondents were randomly selected.The questionnaire was used s a research instrument which was consisted of 30 items and collected data was interpreted through percentage method.In the light of results, recommendations werealso presented to highlight its need to the fast changing demands of globalized world of today but also enable the learners to develop a mode of leadership appropriate at their homes, work places and within the society.


Introduction:-
Education is such a process which is necessary in every aspect of life; it is a gateway by which a person will be able to serve his country well. Education in a very general sense can be summed up at a basic level as referring to an experience or act that has a formative effect on the mind, character or physical ability of an individual. Education is serving to form something and particularly something that will have a long lasting effect on the persons mind and faculties. Education is a process which enables an individual to adjust himself to the environment which aimed at the all-round growth of an individual.
Education is essential for everyone as it tells us how we can live in a society that's why education is important for everyone, for both men and women. Men and women are like two sides of a coin, without one, the other cannot exist. As far as education for women is concern it is beneficial for not herself but for whole generation. Educated women can not only bring up an educated family but can also be helpful in eradicating many social evils. It teaches women how to play a better role as a good daughter, a good wife and a good mother. Therefore education is essential for every individual especially for the women. The formal education program is a structured environment explicit purpose is teaching students which usually take place in a school, college and university environment as well. It is also introducing different types of subjects especially at higher level such as environment, agriculture, mass media, usual studies, gender study, women studies etc. Nowadays such subjects are necessary to get awareness in these areas also especially the subject of women studies has very wider scope throughout the society. The history of the progress of human race is the history of education. Hence it is necessary for every person men and women to be educated. The hands that rock the cradle rule the world. Women should be educated like man as to boost income growth, increased the literary rate, to make them able to plan their future families and to raise educated children. If the women in any country are not educated about half the people in that country will be ignored. The result will be the conditions of economics and human development in any country will be finish and destroy. It warrants understanding women's context as to allow them to lead life that reflects fairness, justice, equality, freedom and dignity. Education teaches a woman that she should play an independent role in the society even in her professional life.
Education of women under Islamic concept is also emphasis as it is cited as a major stumbling block for women's advancement. The study of the life of the Holy Prophet (blessing and peace be upon him) also shows that he himself made special arrangements for the education and training of women.
Presently it is more important to educate women. The emphasis on female education and their contribution in education has become very vast nowadays but it is not necessary to only educate them but also to study about their problems, issues and affairs which they face in their daily life. In this context various types of institutes are working and the centre of Women's Studies at Karachi University is one of them which is also working for this purpose and giving education about all those issues which are related to women affairs. Through this study we can be able to know that how a good role this centre is playing for the benefit of women as well as we will be able to know that what the status of a woman in the society is. Either they are treated according to the rules and laws of our society or not? What is their status in the society? Which types of problems are faced by them in the society as well as in their personal/family life? Facilities of health are being given or not? Their duties and responsibilities are in their awareness or not? Women face a lot of problems and hurdles in asserting their human, legal and constitutional rights.
This study also give information about the career opportunities while this subject as well as to what extend students of this center are placed in different administrative positions in NGOs, national and international organizations as well as in government and private sector. The role of women in our society is very significant. Her influence in the character building of a child and her contribution to the development of a healthy and progressive society is universally recognized. This however a comparatively recent development from time immemorial, the women is been accorded an enviable place in society. She was tolerated as a necessary for the continuation of the human race or as a toy for men's pleasures.
Even in the hay day of the Greek and the later Roman civilization, she enjoyed no better fate. In India she was no more than the man slaves upon whose death she has to burn alive. Islam is the first religion to strike a different and a revolutionary note. It raised her from depth to which she had been placed as per with men. As a woman she has to serve three phases of lifea daughter, wife and a mother. Islam has given importance to women in all the areas but also gives importance to her personality, her education and other advantages.
As in our society women are facing various types of problems which are personal, social, political, educational or economical problems. Even most of them are unable to find the solutions. Therefore, for this purpose separate institutions/organizations is necessary. Not for the betterment of women but for the whole society as they are one who developing the whole generation. In this context many institution and organization are working especially the centre of excellence for Women Studies at University of Karachi was also working since 1989. They are offering such subjects which deals with women's issues, problems and their solutions.
Women studies provides critical thinking , skills and an understanding of women's diverse contribute to society which are valuable for a wide variety of careers . Women studies programs are committed to realizing the equality of women in all the areas of life so that the relationships, both personal and social are characterized by the freedom and mutuality which can only occur among equals. Increasingly, specialists in women studies are being used as consultants in higher education also.
A general focus plan gives students an overview of the entire field of women studies. Women studies program are involved in social justice providing an opportunity to gain a better understanding. It also tries to explore the various ways in which women studies as a discipline generates an awareness of general processes and suggest ways of changes.
By studying women's studies, we are aware about the politics, theory, literature, history, sociology and psychology, all with a feminist perspective. It covers so many difficulties and can be able to face challenges by the questions being raised like how does our society compare to others in its treatment of women? How have women been portrayed in the media and religion? With this subject one will be aware of their personal headlines, how to develop their children, about the hygiene, family status of women, how they should be treated as well as what rights the society has fixed for her in spite of actual rights of her. One should be aware about the violence against women as it shows the mistreating and abuse of women to the social and economic reality of women's lives. The use of violence in unacceptable in any circumstance so one should know the safety rights made for women, knowledge about women of our history who played unforgotten and active role for themselves and others.
As long as people are fighting to turn back the clock on women's rights, women will need advocates for equality and that's where a Women's Studies Department as a major comes in. One of a main role of this is to give awareness of education to those girls or women who are facing such illness through their students. It aim is to provide an overview of empowerment and law that will enable them to claim the women's own entitlements. Thus almost every subject related to women affair and by which they get benefit is included in this program also.

Aims of Study:-
To evaluate how beneficial it is for the development and progress of women in society.  To evaluate the educational role of students of this center.  To what extent it prepares women to solve her health and personal problems intellectually and give awareness about their rights and duties.  To know how much students will get chance to explore and enhance professional skills in this area within the community.  To find out how much it is helpful to provide relevant information about various issues effecting women in all the societies of world.  To be aware about the main objectives of the women's study.  To what extent the status of women is improving through this subject.  To evaluate the social and economical role of women by this study.  To find out how much facilities are provided to the students by from this center.  To be aware that to what extent it provide career opportunities to the students at national and international forum in the context of this field/area.

Review Of Related Literature:-
Higher education is the third stage of educational level which comes after secondary education. It is normally taken to include undergraduate and post graduation as well as vocational education and training colleges/universities are the main institutions that provide higher education. It is also called Tertiary education which results in the receipt of certificates, diplomas or academic degrees.
Women's studies is a field of inquiry that grew from a concern about the way other academic fields ignored or distorted the concerns, histories, theories, experiences, and perspectives of women. Women's studies scholars, with many different points of interest and with many different methods of conducting research, seek to understand the causes, workings, and effects of power inequalities in societies past and present. These power inequities have affected the kinds of claims a male-dominated academy has made about women as well as the lives and opportunities of women and men. Women's studies grew out of the women's movement in the 1970s, when many committed professors and students began to address the sexism they saw in the academy by volunteering to organize courses, forums, and conferences. In short history of (from the late 1960s in the United States) women's studies has moved around the world as an idea, a concept, a practice, and finally a field or Fach (German for specialty or field). As late as 1982 in Germany Frauenstudium was not considered a Fach and therefore could not be studied in the university but only in special or summer courses. By the early twentieth century women's studies was recognized in higher education from India to Indonesia, from the United States to Uganda, China to Canada, Austria to Australia, England to Egypt, South Africa to South Korea.

Fatima Jinnah University:-
Gender Studies program/department came into being in2005 at FJWU is interdisciplinary in content and approach. It explores issues related to women and gender across academic disciplines. The intellectual goal of the program is to develop new approaches to knowledge about women and gender-related issues; focus on women's roles and accomplishments, issues faced by women in the world today with special reference to Pakistan.

University of Peshawar:-
A member of the National Assembly and Central Vice-President of Awami National Party, BushraGohar, has opposed merger of Gender Studies department, its mission and vision, the department is expected by the Federal Ministry for Women Development as well as its provincial arms to provide not only academic courses of various levels but also training and advisory services through research on a regular and institutional basis.

University of Sindh:-
The institute of Women Development Studies was established in 1994.It has started master program in women studies and later on introduced this program at BS four years program also. It also published annual research journal The Women Among all these institution all over the Pakistan, The center of Excellence, Karachi University has prominent place due to its services and opportunities to its learners and society.

The Center of Excellence, Karachi University:-
The *Help develop sustainable strategies for combating health, poverty, and environmental hazards; Enable students step into the practical life with trust in their potential as change makers.
The Center of Excellence offers Women Studies not only at graduate, master level but also at Ph.D level. All the programs emphasis on the feminist perspective, theories, knowledge and methodologies. It give opportunity to appreciate the complexities of power and asymmetries in gender relations and prepare the learners for a wide range of career choices. Beside this, it has a well equipped library which contains nearly 6000 books, encyclopedia, periodicals, rare books, journals, reports, bibliographies and other official documents. The library maintains press clippings on themes related to women in Pakistan. It also has a separate collection on Madar-e-MillatMohtarma Fatima Jinnah.
It has also established Alumni body to ensure good communication link among the alumni which is a rich resource base for the department with its huge reservoir of diverse talents and expertise spanning over various fields. The department also engaged in research activities regarding concern areas as well as also published journal/magazine to develop a mode leadership appropriate to workplaces in which access to organizational power in inequitable for sexes of equal training and talent.
Thus, due to the vast scope of the subject Women Studies throughout the world, it has same importance in our country also especially for social stability as this program provide students the opportunity to study the full range of human experience and arrangements of social organization from the perspectives of those whose participation has been traditionally distorted, omitted, neglected, or denied --women in their racial, class, sexual, national, and cultural diversity. Students develop critical reasoning and analytical skills, research and communication skills and conceptual tools for social change. Pakistan is an Islamic state, where people, not only feel pride in strictly adhering to the Islamic values but are ready to sacrifice their loved belongings for the glory and sanctity of Islam. Many people do not like the idea of woman taking an active part in social life and in out-door professions. Women in Pakistan observe 'Pardah' while coming out of domestic environment or mixing up with other sections of society. 'Pardah,' or veil, is meant to segregate the women-folk from the male section of the society. The women are not prohibited from working but at the same time are supposed to observe strictly the rules of Islam. Due to pardah system, most of women (particularly of low education) have to take up work at home. They involve themselves in knitting, dressmaking, embroidery, etc. for their earning. Although the condition of urban women is better than the rural. We know that in the religion of Islam, a woman is an independent entity, and thus a fully responsible human being.The status of women in Pakistan varies considerably across classes, regions, and the rural/urban divide due to uneven socioeconomic development and the impact of tribal, feudal, and capitalist social formations on women's lives. The Pakistani women of today enjoy a better status than the past. However, on an average, the women's situation vis-à-vis men is one of systemic gender subordination, Now due to a heightened awareness among people the educational opportunities for the Pakistani women increased in the previous years. In 2014, the World Economic Forum ranked Pakistan as the second worst country in the world in gender equality Besides this there are various health issues related to women in our society.Basic education provides girls and women with an understanding of basic health, nutrition and family planning, giving them choices and the power to decide over their own lives and bodies. Women's education leads directly to better reproductive health, improved family health, economic growth, for the family and for society, as well as lower rates of child mortality and malnutrition. It is helps in the fight against the spread of HIV & AIDS. Regrettably, the past successive governments did nothing to improve the basic health services for the people. Even the present provincial health department has not made the health of women and girls as their priority in the province. As a result, every day several women and girl die premature. Since women are backbone of Sindh province's rural economy and the girls are future mothers, therefore, the need of Women Studies department is needed on high perspective demand for the women's awareness. Education is also important for the self-grooming of the woman. It gives her a sense of individuality which boosts her confidence. You must have noticed a clear cut difference between an educated and an uneducated woman. Everything starting from their appearance to their mental approaches is different from each other. It is the education which makes this difference. You must have noticed the difference in the way of talking, walking, handling things and horizons of thoughts, of an educated and uneducated woman in your lives. There are number of colleges and private institutes from where women get experience with quality education. As the educated mothers are very interested in all their children getting educated, even better than them and insist on their girls staying in school to have better adjustment with society. It help in powering their self-confidence to take independent decisions and stand by them, improves their self-esteem, enables them to stand up themselves and achieve greater self fulfillment . It allows them to be aware of the civic rights also. Women education being provide helps women to polish the skill to serve and contribute more effectively to social and economical development of the society. In rural areas, people are not educated. They don't even know the value of education. They does not permits their women and girls to study more. To handle this situation government of every country is making some crucial steps to encourage women's education.
Another important factor is violence especially against women, still found in our society. Understanding violence against women is as complex as its process. As a perusal of literature shows that most of the explanations were contextually and culturally based, this review attempts to analyze the issue of violence against women using theories applicable within the Pakistani context. Literature examining the issue of violence against women and its various theories was reviewed. Religious groups have also often worked with other members of civil society in denouncing violence against women; they have issued fatwas denouncing "honour killings", issued by the All Pakistan Ulema Council the largest group of religious clergy. The women of Pakistan must be educated and been aware about their dignity through being educated.
Women and Environment is a newly proposed issue under the circumstance of sustainable economic development and constant deterioration of environment. Women andenvironment are closely related with each other from the natural ecological perspective. In real life, the enhancement of women's environmental consciousness and consumption consciousness will facilitate women to further participate in the environmental management, so as to better play their role and exert their influence on environmental development and sustainable development.Pakistan is a country in which 52% of the total population comprises of female as per the consensus. So keeping the majority uneducated is a very alarming situation and this might be the root cause of the unstable economy of the country. It is the need of today as far as Pakistan is concerned to inculcate education to everybody and the focus should be on the women so that Pakistan should also be considered amongst the leading, developed and successful nations of the world. And a lifeline to duedevelopment has to give equal opportunity to women to get the required skills, information and self-confidence that she needs to be a better parent, worker and citizen. An educated woman will also be more productive at work --and better paid. Indeed, the dividend for educational investment is often higher for women than men.

Methodology:-
This was a descriptive research in which deductive and inductive methods were used by researchers. The population of this study was Karachi University and hundred students were selected for the collection of data by using questionnaire. Through questionnaire, a brief detail of internal was asked about the importance of Women Studies program at higher level. After the collection of data percentage, standard deviation method and Z-Test were applied for the analysis of data. 4. Male students also encourage to take admissions in this program as we are living in male dominated society and they also need awareness about such issues and cut down violence against women within the society. 5. The department should launch proper movement with the help of NGO's and its alumni to eliminate the social injustice to women. 6. Advancement in curriculum at MA/MS level must be done to develop more interest among students towards this program. 7. As only limited number of students get admission at university level in respective departments it should be introduced at college level as optional subject too. 8. The syllabus should be updated and more case studies should be taught to the students. So they can contribute their role at national and international level. 9. The faculty should be provided opportunities to enhance their professional skills from other institutions outside the country .so they will use latest techniques/methodologies and refer researches on their respective fields.