Gauri Chabbra
The recent rape cases in the capital have left the entire nation in shock and horror, so much so that we saw people taking out their emotions come out in the streets.
Is this the answer? No,comes the reflex response. Then what is? We as a nation should be mindful of the rights of the fairer sex. In case you earnestly desire to rectify the lopsidedness of genders, you need to be aware of Women’s studies as a discipline.
Women’s Studies draw from several social sciences disciplines and evoke a new set of critical questions. It takes you back to the genesis of the society, the way it is fabricated and how roles have been defined and have crossed the mazy labyrinths of time over the past few years. How cultures evolved in context, and how power dynamics changed and redefined itself to be precariously perched on the footprints of civilization.
Who is it meant for?
In case you are wondering that this discipline is a ‘soft’ discipline, appropriate for only women, you are mistaken. A deep sensitization and a sense of responsibility is highly imperative for all of us regardless of the gender, age or economic echelon. Career in Women’s studies is an answer to honing your skills for developing gender sensitivity and also clearing the ground for sound public policy work.
This is one road that would take you to the path of a lucrative career besides elevating your soul.
Institute Scape:
Many Indian universities offer women’s studies or gender studies as part of their under-graduate program in social sciences. At the post-graduate level the scope for in-depth studies is limited to specialization in specific gender issues. Avenues for research after the Master’s level tend to widen. To facilitate research, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has sponsored a number of study centers in universities — Jadavpur University, SNDT, Mumbai, and the Women’s Studies Research Centre in Calcutta University.
*Indira Gandhi Open National University offering PG Diploma in Women’s Empowerment and Development
*The Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule Women’s Studies Centre, University of Pune offering Post Graduate Interdisciplinary Certificate Course in Women’s Studies(Part-time) and Post Graduate Interdisciplinary Diploma in Women’s Studies (One Year-Full time),Post Graduate Interdisciplinary Certificate Course in Gender and Legal Studies (One Semester, Part-time)
*The Women’s Studies Research Centre (WSRC), Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda offeringPG Diploma in Women’s Studies
*Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Hyderabad offering MA and MPhil. It also offers short term courses for under graduates, graduates and post graduate Certificate Courses.There are many research projects being undertaken at regular intervals including Refreshers Course for teachers.
You can choose to pursue Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Women’s Studies and further do M.Phil and PhD in your subject to find better opportunities, in universities and other educational institutions. Also, masters in Women’s Studies can prove as a catalyst to step in and crack Civil Service Examinations.
Sector Spectrum:
Of late, the businesses have realized that in order to add value to the corporate pie, adding through the bottom line is not enough. In order to leave a footprint in the market,building better workplaces goes a long way Understanding women and gender issues helps in significantly escalating a company’s brand and goodwill that in turn build the virtuous cycle of increased productivity and performance.. So, today, they are more than willing to hire experts in Women’s Studies for different roles across their organizations.
The following sector spectrum lies open before you:
Arts and Media:
Women’s studies programs teach written and oral communication skills, organization and sensitivity to marginalized groups. These attributes can all be used in visual arts and writing careers. You may also venture into publishing or editing a feminist newsletter, working for a public relations firm, grant-writing or advocating for positive images of women in the media.
It has been observed that women tend to make most of the buying decisions, often selecting the kinds of goods they bring into their households. As mothers and wives, women also influence the purchasing decisions of the men in their lives. Recent studies show that most single men often purchase the same brands of goods that their mothers chose.
Therefore, companies that want to maintain positive relationships with their female customers have started to recruit public relations professionals with exposure to women’s studies courses. This insight can affect the way that companies launch new products or repair mistakes.
Education
As a burgeoning specialty, many colleges and universities are growing their women’s studies departments to meet growing student demand. This increases the demand for teachers in the field.Because of learning interdisciplinary topics, you may be well prepared for research and librarianship careers. You may become women’s studies teachers, professors or program assistants or work as physical education teachers and women’s sports coaches.
Health Care:
You may also bundle Women’s studies with a second major in nursing or medicine and become directors of women’s or family care centers, certified nurse midwives or reproductive health counselors. Whether helping to deliver children at their patients’ homes or operating from comfortable maternity facilities, you may use your strong communication skills to coach women through this joyous but challenging ritual.Another option is to work as nurses or physicians who specialize in obstetrics, gynecology or breast health care. Insight and sensitivity to social concerns makes women’s studies graduates especially qualified for medical professions.
Law:
As a Women’s studies graduate, the knowledge of power relationships and social justice issues prepares you to work in law and government positions. Options are available in public and private sector organizations whose clients are primarily women and girls. These careers include some government agencies, protective and international development and as public interest lawyer, affirmative action lawyer, women’s advocacy group employee or law enforcement officer.
Many who major in women’s studies choose to advocate for social change. You may work for human rights organizations and in lobbying or labor organizing. You can also pursue a career that puts them in direct contact with the victims of domestic abuse, hate crimes, or other acts of violence. Victims’ advocates bridge the gaps between law enforcement, the legal community, and medical professionals. Experienced victims’ advocates can help confused and frightened women receive critical medical and legal attention. Victims’ advocates also help their clients remain committed to pursuing criminal prosecution for their abusers, especially in situations where they feel intimidated or shamed for doing so.Attorneys who complement their law school studies with a concentration or a degree in women’s studies can unlock the potential to work with a variety of specialized cases. As the general public becomes more aware of long-term challenges such as sexual harassment, discrimination, and domestic violence, attorneys who build a reputation for handling sensitive cases can build strong specialty practices.
Counseling:
Your collaborative work skills, problem-solving, analytical-thinking skills can dove tail into counseling and can be used in careers such as parenting skills educator, drug and alcohol addictions counselor, director of teen mothers’ program, director of domestic violence prevention agency, vocational counselor, elderly services worker and aide at a rape awareness and assistance center to name a few.
Journalism:
A women’s studies degree or concentration can arm you with a valuable and unusual perspective regarding current events. You can use their writing, interviewing, and research skills to report on issues facing women, as well as on the ways that women impact society. Today’s journalists must assure their audiences that issues facing women deserve as much respect and attention as issues facing men.
Corporate Social Responsibility:
Though there has been an increasing awareness and a sea change in the condition of women over the past few decades, the balance is still lopsided- in favor of the patriarchalworld order. Many women still work in substandard conditions for unacceptable salaries. Women’s studies majors work with labor organizations and identify employers that exploit women or otherwise fail to provide mandatory health and welfare benefits for their female employees. You can lobby for day care facilities in factories, extended maternity leave, and other important benefits.You can work with private, government and International NGOs, community based groups or lead in Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of public and private companies.
Women’s studies have had a profound impact on the lives of the ones who have dared to touch the sensitive subjects that were hitherto untouched leaving them wiser and more humane.
After all, what else is human life for?
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