Department of Gender Studies
Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences
University of the Punjab, Lahore
Course Outline
Program BS Gender Studies Course Code GS-114 Credit Hours 3
Course Title Gender and Human Rights
Course Introduction
This course provides an understanding of the centrality of gender equality to human rights
discourse generally and how this is addressed within the UN human rights system
specifically. Students will gain an overview of the various legal and normative frameworks
that promote women’s rights, address gender identities, and advance practical
approaches to securing gender equality. The course will also examine critical concepts
such as inter-sectionality and cultural relativism as they relate to the enforcement of
existing international approaches to advancing gender equality and human rights in
Pakistan.
Learning Outcomes
After completion of this course, the students will be able to:
1. focus on human rights stated by International Human Rights bodies;
2. critically investigate legal issues, socio-cultural construction of Pakistani
society as well as Pakistan‘s commitments and compliance to International
Human Rights Law with special reference to gender;
3. Identify gaps and shortcomings of existing human rights instruments using a gender
lens.
Course Content Assignments/Readings
Introduction to Rights
Rights and Duties
Week 1
Need, Significance and importance of
Human Rights
Human Rights in Islam
Week 2
Quran and Hadith
Fundamental Human Rights
The United Nation Charter
Week 3
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Universal Islamic Declaration of Human
Rights
Human Rights in the Constitution of Pakistan
Week 4
Overview of different Articles of
Constitution
Gender and Human Rights
International Convention on Elimination of
Week 5 All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women (CEDAW)
Beijing Platform for Action
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Gender, Law and Human Rights in Pakistan
Human Rights in Pakistan: Legal Perspective
Pro Women Legislation in Pakistan
Changes introduced in the
criminal laws: Law of Evidence,
Shariyat Act, Rajam, Qisas and
Week 6 Diyat, Hudood or Punishments.
The Acid Control and Acid Crime
Prevention Act, 2010
Child Marriage Restraint Act
1929/ 2016
Punjab Governments women
empowerment packages
The Punjab Protection of Women
Against Violence Act 2016
Family Laws in the Pre-Independence Period
Week 7
Week
Muslim Family Law Ordinance, 1961
Week 8 Marriage
Polygamy
Dower
Dowry (Dowry and Bridal Gifts Restriction
Act, 1976)
Dissolution of Marriage
o Talaq
o Khula
o Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act (1939)
Muslim Family Law Ordinance, 1961
Iddat
Week 9 Maintenance
Custody and Guardianship
Law of Inheritance
Recent Reforms in Punjab
Protection of women against harassment at the
workplace Act, 2019
Week 10
Federal & Provincial Ombudspersons
HEC Policy of Zero Tolerance against
Harassment at Universities
Rights of Transgender Community
Citizenship
Week 11
Education and Health Rights
Inheritance
Right to Vote
Minority Rights in Pakistan
Week 12 Hindus
Christians
Other Minorities
Federal and Provincial Ministries
Federal & Provincial Ministry of Human
Week 13 Rights
Federal & Provincial Ministry of Religious
Affairs & Interfaith Harmony
Week 14 Protection of Human Rights
Role of Civil Society
Challenges Human Rights in Pakistan: Causes and issues
Lack of awareness about rights
Week 15
Cultural impediments
Human Rights Violations and Abuses
Monitoring, Implementing and Enforcing Human Rights
The reports system
Week 16 Inter-state and individual complaints
Rapporteur and special investigators
Ratification, declaration and reservation
State reports
Textbooks and Reading Material
Ali Shaik (n.d). Law of Divorce and Khula in Pakistan. Available online
Anita M. Weiss (2012). Moving Forward with the Legal Empowerment of Women in Pakistan.
Farani, M. (N.A). Manual of Family Laws. Lahore: G.F Printings Press.
Fredman, S., Goldblatt, B., & Women, U. N. (2015). Gender equality and human rights. UN.
Freeman M. (2003). Human Rights: An Interdisciplinary Approach. UK: Polity Press.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (2012). State of Human Rights: Annual Report. Lahore: HRCP
International Human Rights Observer. Pakistan Law on Human Rights.
Iqbal, Safia. (2001). Women and Islamic Law. Lahore: Islamic Publications.
Jahangir, A. (2000). Human rights in Pakistan: A system in the making. Realizing Human
Rights: Moving from Inspiration to Impact, 167-193.
Krivenko, E. Y. (2020). Gender and Human Rights: Expanding Concepts. In Gender and Human Rights.
Edward Elgar Publishing.
Lynn Welchman (2004). Women's Rights and Islamic Family Law: Perspectives on Reform.
Zed Books; London
NCSW (2012). Women’s Right of Inheritance. National Commission on the Status of Women.
Available online New York: US Institute of Peace.
Rai, U.R (2011). Fundamental Rights and their Enforcement. New Delhi: PHI Learning.
Rhona K.M. Smith (2007). Textbook on International Human Rights. New York: Oxford
University Press.
Shamsi, N (2003). Human Rights and Islam. New Delhi: Reference Press.
SirkatGah. (1994). A handbook on Family Law in Pakistan. Lahore: ShirkatGah Publication.
Sustainable Development Policy Institute (2008). Land Rights for Muslim Women: Review
of Law and Policy.
Yilmaz, I. (2011). Good governance in action: Pakistani Muslim law on human rights
and gender- equality. European Journal of Economic and Political Studies (EJEPS), 4(2)
Teaching Learning Strategies
1. Working on Assignments
2. Presentations
3. Group Discussions
4. Individual Assessment
5. Quizzes
Assignments: Types and Number with Calendar
1. Group work on different religion and rights given by religions in the world
2. Group wise discussion on Federal & Provincial Ministry of Religious Affairs
& Interfaith Harmony
3. Presentations of class on different topics
Assessment
Sr. No. Elements Weightage Details
1. Midterm 35% Written Assessment at the mid-point of the
Assessment semester.
2. Formative 25% Continuous assessment includes: Classroom
Assessment participation, assignments, presentations, viva
voce, attitude and behavior, hands-on-activities,
short tests, projects, practical, reflections, readings,
quizzes etc.
3. Final 40% Written Examination at the end of the semester. It
Assessment is mostly in the form of a test, but owing to the
nature of the course the teacher may assess their
students based on term paper, research proposal
development, field work and report writing etc.
