The paper on Gender Studies is an optional subject in the CSS competitive examination 2025. Here, you will find the CSS Gender Studies past Paper 2025.
CSS Gender Studies Past Paper 2025
Q1. What are the root causes that led to gender-based violence? How do these factors interest and perpetuate violence against women in Pakistan?
Q2. Critically evaluate the concept of gendered globalization focusing on the World System Theory and how the globalization of capitalism has created new forms of patriarchal powers to increase gender inequalities.
Q3. Discuss the key principles, goals, and strategies of the different waves of feminism. How do these waves have an impact on women’s lives?
Q4. Elaborate on the historical context and evolution of women’s quotas in Pakistan concerning key legislation and policies that have shaped the quota system.
Q5. Give a detailed analysis of the intersectionality of Gender with other social identities.
Q6. Critically analyze women in development (WID) and Gender and Development (GAD) models. Discuss its basic principles and limitations in addressing women’s needs in developing countries.
Q7. Critically examine and evaluate Malala Yousafzai’s achievements and activism for promoting girls’ education in the local and global contexts.
Critical Analysis of the Paper
This essay thoroughly explores gender studies with an emphasis on violence, globalization, feminism, policy development, and intersectionality. It challenges candidates to interact with critical theories, practical applications, and historical contexts, and hence is both analytically challenging and socially applicable.
The first question addresses gender-based violence (GBV), calling for a sophisticated appreciation of underlying causes like patriarchy, socio-economic dependency, cultural norms, and poor legal frameworks. Applicants should emphasize how these considerations interact—e.g., economic inequality supporting male privilege, or juridical loopholes sustaining domestic violence. Pakistan should be the focal point case, with an argument for honor killings, forced marriages, domestic violence, and workplace harassment.
Mention of legislation such as the Protection of Women Act (2006) and Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act (2021) can be added to the discussion. The second question of gendered globalization necessitates critical thinking about World System Theory and the globalization of capitalism. Candidates should describe how globalization has enforced gender hierarchies, especially in developing economies where women are taken advantage of through cheap labor, informal economies, and digital divides. The emergence of global patriarchy—with multinational companies gaining from unequal wages, the absence of maternity rights, and exploitation in garment and service industries—needs to be underscored.
The third question tests the waves of feminism, with an understanding of first-wave (suffrage movement), second-wave (women’s rights at work and reproduction), third-wave (intersectionality and diverse gender identities), and fourth-wave feminism (digital activism and #MeToo movement). Candidates are expected to critically analyze how these waves have impacted women’s rights, workplace inclusion, legal protection, and representation in Pakistan and the world.
The fourth question discusses the historical development of women’s quotas in Pakistan, and a discussion of policies such as reserved seats in legislative assemblies, gender quotas in political parties, and employment fields is necessary. The candidates should analyze whether these policies empower women or are a form of token representation, based on examples such as Benazir Bhutto’s tenure and the 33% quota in local government institutions.
The fifth question addresses intersectionality, where candidates are asked to examine how gender intersects with race, class, religion, and disability. For example, rural Pakistani women have different obstacles than urban women because of educational and economic inequalities. The analysis must include Crenshaw’s intersectionality theory, demonstrating how multiple layers of oppression add up to gender inequalities.
The sixth question assesses Women in Development (WID) and Gender and Development (GAD) models. The candidates have to contrast how WID emphasizes integrating women into development schemes and GAD critiques structural discrimination and power dynamics. Both should be analyzed for their shortcomings, particularly in Pakistan’s rural development schemes.
The seventh question critically assesses Malala Yousafzai’s activism, requiring an analysis of her impact on local and global education policies. Candidates should discuss her advocacy for girls’ education, her Nobel Peace Prize, the Malala Fund, and opposition to Taliban-imposed restrictions in Pakistan. A balanced critique should consider challenges, criticism, and the extent of real policy impact in Pakistan.
In general, this paper assesses theoretical knowledge, policy analysis, and critical thinking, and demands depth, empirical examples, and a structured argument to offer a balanced response.
View the CSS Gender Studies past paper 2025
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