Women are the most important part of our society. Women’s education has important role in the development of human society. An educated woman means an educated family. According to the article 37 of the constitution of Pakistan, Every woman has fundamental right to get education. However in Pakistan Women have to face social and cultural hurdles to obtain education. Government’s efforts are not sufficient in this regard. Besides co-education there are some women universities in Pakistan, serving solely for female students.
You may surprise to know that there are only 13 dedicated women universities in Pakistan.
1-Fatima Jinnah Women University (Rawalpindi & Sialkot Campus)
Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) is located near Mall Road of Rawalpindi Punjab Pakistan. It was established in 1998.In ranking, HEC ranked it at number 18 in general category. This university introduce and open different new areas of study for young women in Pakistan. Women from all over the country have been coming there in thirst of knowledge. About 4362 students are studying there. It has many academic departments which fulfill the students’ requirements in a good way.
A sub-campus of FJWU is being established in Sialkot from 2008 on 200-acres land and with a cost of RS 300 million. But still this campus in Sialkot has been stalled for past six and half years. Due to delay of completing this campus girls have to go to Lahore, Rawalpindi and other cities for their education and this is hard for them to bear such expenses. All parents are not able to afford the expenses of hostels and others and they also have tensions of their daughters because they are far from their homes. Government should take notice of these problems and make sure to solve them as soon as possible.
2-Jinnah University for Women (Karachi)
Jinnah University for women is a private research university located in Naziabad Karachi. It is known as first ever women university in Pakistan. It was established as a post graduate college and in 1998 Sindh Assembly upgraded it as a complete university. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate and Doctoral programs in different fields of studies such as sciences, arts, humanities and general studies. HEC ranked it as the top university of higher studies in general category. It has five blocks. Block A, B, C, D, E and an admin section. A big auditorium, lecture halls, labs, libraries are included in these blocks.
3-Lahore College for Women University (Lahore & jhang campus)
Lahore College for Women University is an independent women university situated in jail road Lahore, Pakistan. It is one of the oldest institution in Pakistan. It was established in May 1992 as a residential college. It offers education from Intermediate to Ph.D. levels. It has a big library which contains sciences, computer sciences and arts stock books. There is also a book bank where needy students get textbooks. The students of this university are much active in co-curricular activities. In general ranking HEC ranks it at number 15. Some notable alumni of this university are:
Maryam Nawaz, Kishwar Naheed, Bushra Ansari, Riffat Hassan, Manmohini Zutshi Sahgal, Saba Hameed, Salima Hashmi and Samina Khalid Ghurki.
4-Women’s Institute of Science & Humanities (Islamabad)
WISH is a private institute of higher learning for women in Islamabad. It was established in 2003 in Islamabad it is affiliated with Riphah International University when it was started it offered admission to women in the field of computer sciences, education and Islamic studies then gradually other disciplines have been added. It offers bachelors and master degree programs in different disciplines such as education computer sciences business administrations, arts and humanities etc. It has libraries and laboratories which includes Computer science Labs also. It also provides facilities of games and co-curricular activities.
5-Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University (Quetta)
Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University is a women university located in Quetta Balochistan. It was established in 2004. University first convocation was held in the middle of 2006. University consists with libraries, laboratories and hostel facilities for students. It offers graduate and master’s degree programs. Its bus was attacked by terrorists in June 2013 which was carrying students. In this attack 14 women were killed and 19 were injured which was a very sad incident for all Pakistan.
6-Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (Peshawar)
Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University formerly known as the Frontier women university, is located in Peshawar (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Pakistan. It is formed by KPK government in 2004 for female of KPK to improve their learning skills and to acquire higher studies easily. It offers masters in many disciplines just as mathematics, computer sciences, statistics, physics, bio-informatics, law, Islamic Studies, English language and literature and many others. This university is affordable by the students so they easily meet their needs there. Parents from KPK who can’t afford expenses of admitting their daughters in other universities, this is a precious gift for them. This university provides all the facilities to students for quality of education.
7-Women University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (Bagh, Azadkashmir)
Women University AJ&K, Bagh was founded in 2014, with a motive to facilitate quality high education for females in the region. University is situated between the green hills of Bagh, one of the districts of Azad Kashmir. University runs Graduated and undergraduate program, details of program can be found on their website.
8-International Islamic University (Female campus, Islamabad)
International Islamic University is situated in Islamabad. A separate campus for the female students of International Islamic University Islamabad was founded back in the year 2000.
The Female students gets similar facilities as their counterparts enjoying. Over 11500 female students are studying in different faculties in Female Campus. University offers variety of programs for female students for undergraduate, graduate and post graduate level including Basic and applied sciences, Engineering and technology, Management sciences, Sharia and Law, social sciences and language and literature.
9-Kinnaird College for Women University (Lahore)
Kinnaird College for Women University is located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Established in 1913 by American missionaries, the institute is a semi-government school now, and considered as one of the most admired institution in the country. Kinnaird College is offering education from intermediated to postgraduate level, facilitating over 45,000 students. College also runs a FM radio station, Radio Kinnaird 97.6 FM.
10-Women University Multan (Multan)
Women University of Multan is a higher education institution founded in 2013. University provide bachelor programs in Science and Technology, Medicine & Health Business & Social Sciences and Arts & Humanities.
11-Peoples University of Medical & Health Sciences for Women (Nawabshah)
Peoples University of Medical & Health Sciences for Women (PUMHSW) established in 2012, is a public university offering education in medicine, Nursing health and medical sciences. University is located in Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan.
12-Government College Women University (Faisalabad & Sailkot campus)
Government College Women University (GCWU) was founded in 2012 in Faisalabad (GCWUF) and Sialkot (GCWUS). University offers bachelor program in following disciplines.
Science and Technology, Arts & Humanities, Business and Social Sciences.
13-Government Sadiq College Women University (Bahawalpur)
Government Sadiq College Women University (GSCWU) is a higher education institution established in 2013. University is located in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. University offers Bachelor degree in Business & Social Sciences, Science & Technology, Arts, Education and Islamic learning.
Women Universities in Pakistan
- Fatima Jinnah Women University (Rawalpindi & Sialkot Campus)
- Jinnah University for Women (Karachi)
- Lahore College for Women University (Lahore & jhang campus)
- Women’s Institute of Science & Humanities (Islamabad)
- Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University (Quetta)
- Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (Peshawar)
- Women University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (Bagh, Azadkashmir)
- International Islamic University (Female campus, Islamabad)
- Kinnaird College for Women University (Lahore)
- Women University Multan (Multan)
- Peoples University of Medical & Health Sciences for Women (Nawabshah)
- Government College Women University (Faisalabad & Sailkot campus)
- Government Sadiq College Women University (Bahawalpur)