Gender and Development

	Table of Contents
p. 23 of 33 BACK | NEXT Bangladesh Cambodia India Indonesia Kyrgyz Republic Nepal Pakistan ASR/Institute of Women’s Studies Lahore HAWWA Associates Khwendo Kor Shirkat Gah Watan Welfare Society Tajikistan Uzbekistan

Pakistan

A Making of Meaning: The Transdisciplinary Women's Studies Conference — ASR/Institute of Women’s Studies Lahore

Background of the project

Women's studies as a discipline is not well established in Pakistan even within academic circles. This reflects the strongly patriarchal nature of Pakistan's society and the limited availability of education for women and girls. Women's groups and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) work to improve conditions for women but do not always have access to the theoretical tools of analysis. The interdisciplinary and multidimensional nature of women's studies, both in theory and in practice, can often mean that the area suffers from misconceptions, an absence of a shared framework, and the isolation of scholars and others working on the subject matter. In order to strengthen interconnections and to promote an inclusive approach, a transdisciplinary women's studies conference was organized to build links among scholars, organizations, writers, artists, and activists working in the field and to enhance intersections between theory, practice, culture, and social change. In so doing the organizers hoped to reduce the fragmentation of many women's studies initiatives and their restriction to the social sciences.

ASR/Institute of Women's Studies Lahore (IWSL) is involved in a variety of academic and activist pursuits including community work, assisting theater and arts groups, producing films, and conducting academic courses. It established IWSL, and held the first women's studies conference in Pakistan. It also established the first feminist press in Pakistan. IWSL is committed to promoting connections between theory and practice in its work and understands that rigorous academic training can inform the ways social justice is sought. Knowledge is seen to have an important role in the transformation of both individuals and societies, thus the conference was proposed as a way to share and create new knowledge, to promote awareness of women's issues, and to bring together women in various disciplines and fields of activity.

Project Objectives and Scope

The conference title reflects its objectives:

• to explore and expand the understanding of women's studies by bringing together Pakistani and other South Asian women working on national issues, policy, literature, activism, and cultural expression
• to bring together Pakistani and South Asian women working in different fields and disciplines to reduce the isolation of scholars in women's studies and the fragmentation of knowledge
• to develop networking among the participants and to establish networks between conference participants and IWSL

IWSL invited participants from Pakistan as well as from France, South Asia, and the United States. The inclusion of international participants promoted collaboration on human rights issues and concerns, many of which are shared throughout the region. All participants were active in promoting the cause of women through activism, scholarship, or creative expression. As many participants were new to the field, the conference played an important role in establishing frameworks and networks, particularly for the many younger attendees.

The conference was multidisciplinary and multimedia. Along with formal presentations and poetry and prose readings, there were performances by dancers, an art exhibition, video and film screenings, and a magazine launch. Music also played an important part with conference organizers initiating the involvement of participants in songs and dancing throughout the conference. IWSL staff were very attentive to the comfort of participants and ensured that good communication and positive experiences strengthened the networks formed over the 5 days of the conference.

In line with the commitment to bringing together women working in diverse fields and to highlight the intersections between theory, activism, and artistic expression, the conference was organized around four main themes:

1. The women's movement addressed the forms of resistance women in Pakistan and South Asia have taken, the issues around which they have mobilized, and forms of organization and their functioning. The relationship between the women's movement and other forms of social struggle was also discussed
2. The theme of women and literature was included to highlight the importance of women's writing in the women's movement and the place of literature in raising women's issues. Isolation of women writers was identified as a particular problem, and the conference offered a space for them to meet, share ideas, and gain strength from shared experiences
3. The politics of identity and ideology dealt with concerns over the role of the state, nation, and religious institutions in circumscribing opportunities for women by defining their positions and determining their identities. The conference explored the process, implications, and impact of nationalist and religious ideologies
4. Presentations in the area of women and development encompassed questions of the impact of development on women and a broad range of topics including economics, politics, the environment, land, housing, health, and education. They aimed to promote discussion of alternative development models based on the needs and aspirations of the majority of Pakistani people

Project Outcomes

The conference was extremely successful in terms of achieving its objectives. The careful planning and preparation of the event, the enthusiasm of IWSL staff, the varied and stimulating program, and the participation of delegates and the audience all contributed to its success. The discussion of conference papers and presentations was lively and engaged, and the cultural presentations were well received. Participants discussed issues at meals and social events and interacted with IWSL staff. Thus the objectives of developing networking among participants and between participants and IWSL staff were easily met. The varied program brought together people working in different areas who were pleased to find they shared concerns and approaches with other participants. The wider public attended the poetry and prose readings further enhancing the reach of this network. The public readings served to further publicize the work of IWSL, to spread understanding of women's studies, and to promote the work of the female writers. The importance of cultural forms of expression of women's experiences and understanding was evident in enthusiastic responses to the dance, film, video, and visual arts presentations.

The objectives were further achieved by the high level of publicity the conference attracted. The conference was reported in newspapers and magazines for several days running. The poetry and prose readings were well publicized, and an ongoing debate was initiated between local columnist Hussain Haqani and conference delegate Anis Haroon. This debate continued to make headlines for a month. Thus the profile of women's studies was raised significantly in Pakistan, and many important conference topics and events gained the attention of the media. Most of the papers presented at the conference are being published by IWSL. This will achieve the aim of promoting women's studies and of continuing to establish and reinforce dialogue among women working in diverse fields. The publication will also help new scholars, activists, and artists to identify contacts and to learn from others working for women's rights.

The long-term benefits of the conference are evidenced in the publications, the new networks, and the establishment of workshops and seminars by participants based on the themes of the conference. The conference has established and nurtured the health of the women's movement in Pakistan and has emphasized the importance of dialogue, debate, and rigorous scholarship that is socially and politically responsible.

Back Pakistan	Next HAWWA Associates