CSS Gender Studies MCQs

This comprehensive set of MCQs on Gender Studies for the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination is meticulously designed to cover all major topics outlined in the CSS syllabus. Encompassing essential areas such as gender theories, feminism, gender roles, gender-based violence, and policy issues, these MCQs aim to provide aspiring CSS candidates with a thorough understanding of the social, cultural, and economic aspects that influence gender dynamics.

Who should practice CSS Gender Studies MCQs?

Candidates preparing for the CSS examination who seek to develop a nuanced understanding of gender studies and its relevance in social structures.
Individuals interested in learning about gender equality, human rights, and the policies that shape gender relations, essential for civil services roles.
University students focused on high-yield topics like the history of feminist movements, sociological perspectives on gender, and gender in development, which are crucial for the CSS Gender Studies syllabus.
Anyone looking to improve their analytical skills in understanding complex gender issues and advocating for inclusive and equitable practices.
Students committed to mastering gender studies to excel in competitive exams and prepare for roles that involve policymaking, social research, and community development.

1. Gender studies primarily focuses on:

A) Biological differences between males and females
B) Social roles and relationships of genders
C) Only women’s rights
D) Men’s rights in society

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2. Which of the following is NOT a key area of study in gender studies?

A) Social construction of gender
B) Biological sciences
C) Gender-based violence
D) Feminist theories

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3. The term “gender” refers to:

A) Biological differences between males and females
B) Socially constructed roles and behaviors
C) Legal definitions of male and female
D) Genetic distinctions between individuals

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4. What distinguishes Gender Studies from Women’s Studies?

A) Focus on all gender identities, not only women
B) Emphasis on biological studies
C) Limited to male perspectives
D) Analysis only of traditional gender roles

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5. Gender Studies is considered multidisciplinary because it:

A) Studies multiple types of feminism
B) Incorporates knowledge from various academic fields
C) Only uses scientific approaches
D) Focuses solely on social sciences

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6. The debate between autonomy and integration in gender studies is about:

A) The independent versus collective study of gender issues
B) Women’s inclusion in all fields
C) Integrating women’s rights into the curriculum
D) Separating feminism from other gender issues

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7. Which theory questions the social determination of “sex”?

A) Liberal Feminism
B) Queer Theory
C) Psychoanalytical Feminism
D) Postmodern Feminism

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8. Which feminist theory centers on economic and class analysis?

A) Liberal Feminism
B) Radical Feminism
C) Marxist/Socialist Feminism
D) Men’s Feminism

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9. The term “masculinities” refers to:

A) Social constructs of male identity and roles
B) Biological male characteristics
C) Traditional roles of men
D) Patriarchal society only

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10. Feminist movements in Pakistan mainly focus on:

A) Equal pay
B) Education and legal rights for women
C) Traditional roles for women
D) Exclusion of men from society

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11. The debate between nature and culture in gender development concerns:

A) The impact of laws on gender roles
B) Differences between innate traits and socialization
C) Biological differences between species
D) Cross-cultural similarities in gender roles

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12. The First Wave of Feminism primarily aimed at:

A) Environmental protection
B) Political and legal equality
C) Socialist reforms
D) Embracing gender stereotypes

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13. The “Women in Development” (WID) approach focuses on:

A) Integrating women into development processes
B) Reducing women’s roles in economic development
C) Promoting women’s domestic roles
D) Protecting women from modernization

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14. Globalization impacts gender by:

A) Reducing gender inequality everywhere
B) Reinforcing traditional gender roles
C) Creating new forms of labor and economic opportunities for women
D) Eliminating all gender discrimination

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15. The term “gender-based violence” refers to:

A) Violence caused only by men
B) Any violence against women
C) Violence based on gender differences
D) Violence targeting individuals based on their gender

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16. The Structural Adjustment Policies (SAPs) are critiqued from a gender perspective because:

A) They only benefit women
B) They disproportionately affect men
C) They have worsened economic conditions for women in developing countries
D) They prioritize traditional gender roles

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17. Which Pakistani woman is internationally known for her activism against gender-based violence?

A) Benazir Bhutto
B) Mukhtar Mai
C) Asma Jahangir
D) Malala Yousafzai

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18. Radical feminism primarily emphasizes:

A) Class and economic disparities
B) The need to eliminate patriarchy
C) Evolutionary psychology
D) Traditional gender roles

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19. In Pakistan, political quotas for women have:

A) Made no difference in gender representation
B) Enhanced women’s representation in legislative bodies
C) Increased male dominance in politics
D) Reduced the need for women voters

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20. Liberal feminism advocates for:

A) Fundamental societal restructuring
B) Equal access to education and employment
C) Reinforcement of traditional gender roles
D) Elimination of the government’s role in gender issues

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21. Psychoanalytical feminism analyzes gender through:

A) Social class structures
B) Psychological development and identity
C) Traditional gender roles
D) Educational disparities

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22. Queer Theory challenges traditional views by asserting that:

A) Gender and sexual identities are fluid
B) Only biological sex defines identity
C) All people should conform to traditional roles
D) Masculinity and femininity are identical

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23. Which theory advocates for small changes within the existing system for gender equality?

A) Radical Feminism
B) Marxist Feminism
C) Liberal Feminism
D) Postmodern Feminism

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24. The main focus of postmodern feminism is:

A) Class struggle
B) Decentering fixed definitions of gender
C) Increasing wages for women
D) Establishing traditional gender roles

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25. The Suffragist Movement primarily aimed to:

A) Secure voting rights for women
B) End class-based discrimination
C) Integrate men into women’s spaces
D) Reinforce traditional gender roles

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26. Structural violence refers to:

A) Physical assault in workplaces
B) Systemic inequalities within social structures
C) Violence only between intimate partners
D) Gender-neutral conflicts

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27. The Second Wave of Feminism focused on:

A) Women’s reproductive rights and workplace equality
B) Establishing monarchy in the West
C) Strengthening religious roles for women
D) Gender equality in rural areas only

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28. Feminist critique of capitalism argues that:

A) Capitalism enhances women’s opportunities equally
B) Economic inequality affects men and women equally
C) Capitalism reinforces gender-based inequalities
D) Capitalism only benefits rural women

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29. The United Nations Conference on Women held in 1995 in Beijing focused on:

A) Traditional family values
B) Global policies on gender equality
C) Trade and commerce policies
D) Disbanding feminist organizations

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30. Social constructionism argues that:

A) Gender roles are biologically fixed
B) Gender roles are shaped by society and culture
C) All women must adopt traditional roles
D) Only men can hold positions of power

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31. Which feminist approach critiques the dependency of developing countries on wealthy nations?

A) Modernization Theory
B) Dependency Theory
C) Structural Functionalism
D) Globalization Theory

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32. Malala Yousafzai is known for her activism in:

A) Health care reform
B) Education rights for girls
C) Women’s rights in business
D) Political quotas for women

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33. Which of the following is a goal of Gender and Development (GAD)?

A) Focus solely on women’s issues
B) Integrate both men and women in development projects
C) Limit gender studies to rural areas
D) Reinforce patriarchal norms

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34. Radical feminists argue that:

A) Changes within the system are enough for equality
B) Patriarchy must be entirely dismantled
C) Women’s role in the home should be prioritized
D) Economic policies should remain unchanged

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35. The term “hegemonic masculinity” refers to:

A) Dominant form of masculinity that upholds patriarchy
B) Feminist ideals for men
C) Men who engage in traditionally feminine activities
D) Masculinity that rejects all forms of violence

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36. Which of the following is a key feature of Third Wave Feminism?

A) Emphasis on universal rights
B) Inclusion of diverse identities and experiences
C) Traditional gender roles reinforcement
D) Strictly addressing issues in Western societies

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37. In Pakistan, gender quotas were established to:

A) Ensure equal employment
B) Increase women’s representation in politics
C) Support men’s economic rights
D) Promote traditional gender roles

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38. The term “intersectionality” in feminism emphasizes:

A) The isolated impact of gender alone
B) How multiple forms of discrimination intersect
C) Class inequalities only
D) Reducing diversity in feminist movements

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39. Feminist analysis of colonialism argues that:

A) Colonialism promoted women’s rights
B) Colonial policies often reinforced patriarchy
C) All colonial policies were gender-neutral
D) Men were the primary beneficiaries

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40. The Gender Inequality Index measures:

A) Social media presence of women
B) Economic and political disparities based on gender
C) Job satisfaction among men
D) Gender roles in the entertainment industry

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41. Structural Adjustment Policies (SAPs) were critiqued by feminists because they:

A) Prioritized gender equality in all regions
B) Led to reduced social spending, affecting women
C) Focused on gender-neutral policies only
D) Primarily benefited rural women

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42. Which feminist wave is associated with the slogan “The personal is political”?

A) First Wave
B) Second Wave
C) Third Wave
D) Postmodern Wave

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43. Women in Development (WID) approach emphasizes:

A) Isolating women’s roles in private spheres
B) Integrating women into existing development processes
C) Limiting women’s access to economic resources
D) Restricting development to rural women

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44. The main concern of dependency theory in gender studies is:

A) Economic growth in urban regions
B) Over-reliance of developing nations on wealthy countries
C) Addressing biological aspects of gender
D) Cultural independence for women

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45. Gender and Development (GAD) differs from WID by:

A) Including men in development discourse
B) Focusing solely on women’s health
C) Prioritizing rural women
D) Ignoring global feminist movements

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46. Feminist theorists critique modernization theory because it:

A) Enforces strict gender roles
B) Assumes Western standards are universally applicable
C) Promotes men’s rights over women’s rights
D) Focuses exclusively on rural development

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47. The “glass ceiling” effect refers to:

A) Transparent career progression for all genders
B) Unseen barriers preventing women’s advancement
C) Women’s natural career limits
D) Gender neutrality in workplaces

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48. Liberal feminism advocates for:

A) Revolutionary change in gender structures
B) Equal rights within existing legal frameworks
C) Preservation of traditional gender roles
D) Separate spaces for men and women

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49. Men’s feminism aims to:

A) Exclude men from feminist discourse
B) Address men’s roles in supporting gender equality
C) Reinforce traditional masculinity
D) End women’s rights movements

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50. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) focused on:

A) Limiting women’s rights
B) Establishing gender equality globally
C) Economic development in Western nations
D) Reinforcing patriarchal policies

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51. Which type of feminism sees capitalism as the main source of gender inequality?

A) Liberal Feminism
B) Radical Feminism
C) Marxist Feminism
D) Psychoanalytic Feminism

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52. Mukhtar Mai is a prominent example of:

A) Women’s political participation
B) Resistance to gender-based violence
C) Traditional family roles
D) Women’s educational success

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53. Gender analysis in development considers:

A) Social roles assigned to men and women
B) Economic independence only
C) Political structures exclusively
D) Employment statistics only

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54. Masculinities in gender studies refers to:

A) Homogeneous male roles
B) Multiple expressions and experiences of being male
C) Reinforcement of traditional male roles
D) Exclusion from feminist discourse

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55. Which feminist movement was focused on obtaining voting rights for women?

A) Suffragist Movement
B) Marxist Feminism
C) Psychoanalytic Feminism
D) Globalization Movement

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56. The term “gender mainstreaming” refers to:

A) Isolating gender from development programs
B) Integrating gender perspectives across policies and practices
C) Focusing only on women’s issues
D) Establishing separate programs for men

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57. The First Wave of Feminism primarily focused on:

A) Voting rights and property rights
B) Workplace equality
C) Gender roles in media
D) Economic independence

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58. United Nations’ Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995 highlighted:

A) Education reform only
B) Women’s empowerment and gender equality
C) Social class-based inequalities only
D) Patriarchal structures exclusively

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59. Postmodern feminists believe that:

A) Gender categories are fixed and unchanging
B) Gender identity is fluid and complex
C) Gender roles should remain traditional
D) Women should adhere to male norms

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60. Feminist critique of globalization argues that:

A) Globalization empowers all women equally
B) Globalization can reinforce existing gender inequalities
C) Only Western women benefit from globalization
D) Globalization has no impact on gender

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61. The structural-functional approach in gender studies primarily examines:

A) Gender as a fixed biological trait
B) Social structures that enforce gender roles
C) Economic development’s impact on gender
D) Gender-neutral policies in society

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62. In gender studies, “hegemonic masculinity” refers to:

A) The rejection of all male stereotypes
B) A culturally dominant form of masculinity
C) The complete equality of gender roles
D) Feminist rejection of traditional masculinity

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63. Women and Development (WAD) theory primarily emphasizes:

A) Integrating women into economic structures
B) Addressing women’s issues separately from men
C) A focus solely on rural women’s concerns
D) Gender neutrality in development

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64. Queer theory questions:

A) Traditional understandings of gender and sexuality
B) Biological explanations of gender roles
C) Women’s place in the workforce only
D) Economic theories related to women

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65. Radical feminism views the patriarchy as:

A) A secondary issue in gender inequality
B) The root cause of gender-based oppression
C) An outdated structure with minimal impact
D) A neutral societal force

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66. Gender-based violence is defined as violence:

A) Targeted specifically at men
B) Directed against individuals based on their gender
C) Related only to physical abuse
D) Limited to public spaces

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67. Third Wave Feminism is characterized by:

A) A rejection of intersectional identities
B) A focus on diversity and individuality among women
C) The elimination of feminist movements
D) Gender neutrality in all aspects

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68. Malala Yousafzai is best known for her work in:

A) Women’s health advocacy
B) Education rights, especially for girls
C) Workplace equality campaigns
D) Gender-based violence prevention

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69. The concept of “toxic masculinity” critiques:

A) All expressions of male identity
B) Harmful cultural expectations of men
C) The exclusion of men from feminist debates
D) Women’s behavior toward men

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70. Feminist critiques of capitalism argue that it:

A) Empowers all genders equally
B) Reinforces gender inequalities
C) Eliminates class-based differences
D) Primarily benefits rural women

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71. “Gender quota” policies in politics aim to:

A) Reduce women’s political involvement
B) Ensure minimum representation of women in politics
C) Prioritize men’s issues in governance
D) Remove gender from political considerations

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72. Psychoanalytic feminism explores:

A) The psychological origins of patriarchy
B) The economic contributions of women
C) Women’s roles in governance
D) Gender roles based on social learning

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73. United Nations’ Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing was held in:

A) 1990
B) 1995
C) 2000
D) 2005

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74. Postmodern feminism is known for its stance on:

A) Fixed gender roles
B) The fluidity and complexity of gender identity
C) Strict gender binaries
D) Exclusive focus on biological differences

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75. Which feminist theory critiques psychoanalysis from a gendered perspective?

A) Liberal Feminism
B) Radical Feminism
C) Psychoanalytic Feminism
D) Marxist Feminism

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76. “Social construction of gender” means that:

A) Gender roles are biologically determined
B) Society creates expectations for gender behavior
C) Men and women naturally act differently
D) Gender identity is genetically fixed

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77. The phrase “patriarchal dividend” refers to:

A) The benefits men receive from gender equality
B) The advantages men gain from patriarchy
C) Financial gains for men in women’s movements
D) Gender-neutral policies in economic sectors

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78. The main objective of the Women in Development (WID) approach is to:

A) Treat men’s issues as secondary
B) Integrate women into existing economic systems
C) Develop separate policies for men and women
D) Focus solely on rural areas

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79. The term “intersectionality” in gender studies means:

A) Focusing solely on women’s rights
B) Examining how various social identities overlap
C) Separating gender issues from other social issues
D) Applying a single perspective to all identities

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80. Which theory emphasizes the economic roots of women’s oppression?

A) Psychoanalytic Feminism
B) Radical Feminism
C) Marxist Feminism
D) Postmodern Feminism

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81. Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) are often criticized in gender studies for:

A) Promoting gender equality in all sectors
B) Ignoring the unique needs of women
C) Focusing primarily on social reforms
D) Expanding educational access for women

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82. In feminist theory, “patriarchy” is defined as:

A) A system that promotes equal rights
B) A form of government led by women
C) A societal structure dominated by men
D) A movement supporting women’s education

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83. The “First Wave” of feminism primarily focused on:

A) Economic empowerment of women
B) Voting rights and legal equality
C) Gender-neutral laws
D) Educational reforms

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84. The primary focus of “Second Wave” feminism was:

A) Gender equality in employment
B) Women’s suffrage
C) Class struggle in society
D) Recognition of diverse gender identities

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85. Gender studies analyze “hegemonic masculinity” to understand:

A) Dominant cultural standards of masculinity
B) Gender roles assigned to women
C) Financial independence for women
D) Voting patterns among men

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86. The concept of “gendered division of labor” refers to:

A) Equal distribution of tasks in the household
B) Economic roles assigned based on gender
C) Gender roles in political parties
D) Division of labor based on class

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87. Mukhtar Mai’s case highlighted:

A) Gender-based educational issues in Pakistan
B) Gender-based violence and justice in Pakistan
C) Employment rights for women
D) Women’s rights in rural education

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88. A significant critique of globalization in gender studies is that it:

A) Brings only positive changes for women
B) Often perpetuates gender inequalities
C) Primarily affects men
D) Reduces economic opportunities for men

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89. In development theory, the term “WID” stands for:

A) Women in Development
B) Women in Democracy
C) Working in Development
D) Wealth in Development

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90. The Women’s Suffrage Movement fought for:

A) Economic rights for women
B) Equal pay for women
C) Voting rights for women
D) Gender-neutral policies

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91. The “Gender and Development” (GAD) approach focuses on:

A) Integrating only women in economic activities
B) Addressing roles and relations between all genders
C) Exclusively on political rights for women
D) Welfare of children and elderly

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92. Liberal feminism primarily advocates for:

A) Radical restructuring of society
B) Gradual reforms within the existing system
C) Complete separation of men and women
D) An end to all gender-based studies

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93. In gender studies, the “public-private divide” refers to:

A) The economic gap between men and women
B) The separation of roles in public and private spheres
C) A government policy for women’s employment
D) The equal distribution of household chores

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94. Postmodern feminism critiques earlier feminist movements for:

A) Focusing only on issues of the privileged
B) Prioritizing rural issues over urban concerns
C) Ignoring the psychological aspects of gender
D) Rejecting all traditional gender studies

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95. Which form of violence is considered “direct” gender-based violence?

A) Psychological trauma
B) Physical abuse
C) Wage discrimination
D) Social isolation

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96. Men’s involvement in feminist movements is sometimes called:

A) Anti-feminism
B) Men’s liberation
C) Men’s feminism
D) Gender-neutral activism

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97. “Dependency Theory” in gender and development studies analyzes:

A) Economic dependency between genders
B) The dependence of developing countries on developed ones
C) The biological dependence between men and women
D) Traditional gender roles in rural areas

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98. United Nations conferences on women have focused on:

A) Maintaining traditional gender roles
B) Gender equality and women’s rights globally
C) Enforcing biological roles for each gender
D) Limiting women’s political involvement

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99. Gender-based wage gaps typically reflect:

A) Equal pay for equal work
B) Differences in job titles only
C) Unequal pay for similar roles
D) Gender-neutral salary structures

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100. Shermin Ubaid Chinoy’s contributions are mainly in the field of:

A) Education reforms for women
B) Gender-based art and cinema
C) Health rights for women
D) Advocacy for environmental rights

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