Gender Studies Library & Humanities Center
Donation protected
We are a group of scholars and students raising money for a private Library and Humanities Center that specializes in Gender and Sexuality Studies in Lahore, Pakistan. In a region rife with religious extremism and military rule, there is a culture of fear and obedience that grips higher education. The goal of our project is to offer students a safe space to conduct specialized research on topics that universities are lacking resources for in their libraries and refuse to hire specialized faculty for in their classrooms.
Our vision for the project is to create an independent private Library and Humanities Center that specializes in gender and sexuality studies rooted in the works of women of color scholars. The collection of books and research articles will include texts that are not commonly available in Pakistan on a range of topics related to women’s studies, gender and sexuality studies, feminist and queer theory, Islamic studies, Sufism studies, South Asian studies, poetry and literature, race and ethnic studies, arts and cultural studies, and other disciplines that fall under the broad umbrella of Humanities.
The courses that will be offered in small group sizes will be ones that are not offered even in the most prestigious institutions of Pakistan. Professors trained in these specialized areas of study will teach a variety of courses based on student interest.
Course titles may include:
- Introduction to Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Introduction to Womanism
- Introduction to Gender, Sexuality, and Islam,
- Advanced Islamic Feminism
- Black Feminist Thought
- Chicana Feminism
- Transnational Feminist Theory and Activism
- Spirituality and Sexuality
- Sufi Poetry and Storytelling
- South Asian Sufism
- Sufi Metaphysical Philosophy
- Introduction to Trans Studies
- Critical Race Theory
-Indigenous Poetry, Prayers and Storytelling
-South Asian Queer Films and Media
We are not saviors. We simply want to provide students a space to learn critical thinking skills, questioning skills, creative writing skills, and social and analytical skills that are rooted in social justice and movements toward self-transformations. The idea is to offer students a space to not only hold classes but to also hold space for each other. Unlike the prevalent culture of academia, the idea is not to gain clout or create political parties.
Following models of small traditional art schools in South Asia, the intention here is to attract a niche audience and maintain quality over quantity. We want to attract students and scholars who are genuinely interested in growing their knowledge base in very specific fields of study. We want to provide a space and community for students and scholars who are interested in long-term meditated personal transformations rather than immediate reactive consumption of information.
What the Center will offer that universities do not offer is a move away from debate culture and into a space for dialogues and self-reflective discussions. We will offer a safe space in which students are comfortable asking questions that they are not comfortable asking elsewhere. We want to offer a space to unlearn white euro-centric models of education and teach students the value of experiential knowledge and affective knowledge that is rooted in our own cultures, histories and philosophies.
Now more than ever there is a dire need for the study and understanding of the humanities, particularly gender and sexuality studies in South Asia. Whether we are fighting religious extremism, whether we are fighting for women’s rights or LGBTQ+ rights, whether we are fighting increased militarization and its accompanying savior complex of the Western countries we live in, we all understand that change has to come from within communities. Bandaid solutions of imposing Western feminism onto the Muslim world does not work, but backfires.
It is not a coincidence that many of the 9/11 conspirators were engineering students. In a world in which majority of academic funding is spent on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) research and education, we wonder why we continue to have so much violence and ugliness in this world. The importance of a humanities education is that it forces us to question the status quo. It helps us to unlearn linear models of thinking, and move into relational thinking. It helps us to prioritize human lives over the gain of capital.
PROJECTED BUDGET
PKR=Pakistani Rupee (USD=US Dollar)
Over 400 discipline specific books have already been donated, which decreases the overall startup costs for the Center. Therefore, donations will cover additional costs, including salaries, facilities, and emergency funds, including legal, medical, and natural disaster insurance.
SALARIES:
Visiting Professor Salary (5 courses): 2,000,625 PKR (12,500 USD)
Part Time House Helper for 12 months: 300,000 PKR (1,872 USD)
Security Guard (optional) for 12 months: 300,000 PKR (1,872 USD)
Part Time Gardener for 12 months: 180,000 PKR (1,123 USD)
FACILITIES:
Rent (Gas & Electricity) for 12 months: 1,920,000 PKR (12,000 USD)
Minor Building Renovations and Furniture: 960,300 PKR (6,000 USD)
Food for Classes and Meetings: 540,000 PKR (3,370 USD)
AC/Heater Units: 432,000 PKR (2,700 USD)
Laptop Computers: 276,000 PKR (1,722 USD)
Refrigerator: 138,000 PKR (860 USD)
Projector: 115,000 PKR (718 USD)
Internet for 12 months: 60,000 PKR (375 USD)
Water Dispensers: 57,000 PKR (356 USD)
Microwave: 26,000 PKR (162 USD)
Ceiling Fans: 25,000 PKR (156 USD)
Printer Copier Scanner: 10,000 PKR (62 USD)
Emergency Fund: (5000 USD)
Discipline Specific Books: (9100 USD) -- Donated Generously by Fundraising Team.
TOTAL Amount Needed for Project Launch: 50,848 USD
It is no longer good enough to give charity for food and shelter. While those are the basic needs of any human and worthy causes to invest in, a long term change in any region can only take place through quality education. An educational charity that stops at funding girls’ elementary schools is no longer going to cut it.
We need quality higher education, that is accessible.
We need quality higher education, that moves beyond the STEM fields.
We need quality higher education, that focuses on the Humanities, particularly Gender & Sexuality Studies, rooted in people's own cultures and philosophies.
Trying to figure out how much to donate? Consider the average cost of a college course you paid at your university. Or consider the cost of your favorite collection of books. Education is expensive, but through this community-based approach, students in Pakistan can access a quality Humanities education through a “pay what you can” model.
This startup campaign is meant to begin a more sustainable long-term process which includes professional grant writers, who are already searching for global funding opportunities to support the Center once it is established. Our fundraising team consists not only of the host of this fundraiser but an international group of scholars and students, with decades of higher education, community and nonprofit expertise.
***NOTE: While Eva is running this campaign in the US, this is due to the lack of accessibility of GFM in Pakistan, and to protect the identities of those involved given the risks of working on such a project in this region. Eva is merely the middle person, and is happy to answer any questions you may have about what is happening with the group that is working on this project locally, the words above are written by the community organizers.***
If you are a family foundation or large grant giving entity, please email evapeskin [at] protonmail [dot] com for a detailed grant proposal.
Our vision for the project is to create an independent private Library and Humanities Center that specializes in gender and sexuality studies rooted in the works of women of color scholars. The collection of books and research articles will include texts that are not commonly available in Pakistan on a range of topics related to women’s studies, gender and sexuality studies, feminist and queer theory, Islamic studies, Sufism studies, South Asian studies, poetry and literature, race and ethnic studies, arts and cultural studies, and other disciplines that fall under the broad umbrella of Humanities.
The courses that will be offered in small group sizes will be ones that are not offered even in the most prestigious institutions of Pakistan. Professors trained in these specialized areas of study will teach a variety of courses based on student interest.
Course titles may include:
- Introduction to Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Introduction to Womanism
- Introduction to Gender, Sexuality, and Islam,
- Advanced Islamic Feminism
- Black Feminist Thought
- Chicana Feminism
- Transnational Feminist Theory and Activism
- Spirituality and Sexuality
- Sufi Poetry and Storytelling
- South Asian Sufism
- Sufi Metaphysical Philosophy
- Introduction to Trans Studies
- Critical Race Theory
-Indigenous Poetry, Prayers and Storytelling
-South Asian Queer Films and Media
We are not saviors. We simply want to provide students a space to learn critical thinking skills, questioning skills, creative writing skills, and social and analytical skills that are rooted in social justice and movements toward self-transformations. The idea is to offer students a space to not only hold classes but to also hold space for each other. Unlike the prevalent culture of academia, the idea is not to gain clout or create political parties.
Following models of small traditional art schools in South Asia, the intention here is to attract a niche audience and maintain quality over quantity. We want to attract students and scholars who are genuinely interested in growing their knowledge base in very specific fields of study. We want to provide a space and community for students and scholars who are interested in long-term meditated personal transformations rather than immediate reactive consumption of information.
What the Center will offer that universities do not offer is a move away from debate culture and into a space for dialogues and self-reflective discussions. We will offer a safe space in which students are comfortable asking questions that they are not comfortable asking elsewhere. We want to offer a space to unlearn white euro-centric models of education and teach students the value of experiential knowledge and affective knowledge that is rooted in our own cultures, histories and philosophies.
Now more than ever there is a dire need for the study and understanding of the humanities, particularly gender and sexuality studies in South Asia. Whether we are fighting religious extremism, whether we are fighting for women’s rights or LGBTQ+ rights, whether we are fighting increased militarization and its accompanying savior complex of the Western countries we live in, we all understand that change has to come from within communities. Bandaid solutions of imposing Western feminism onto the Muslim world does not work, but backfires.
It is not a coincidence that many of the 9/11 conspirators were engineering students. In a world in which majority of academic funding is spent on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) research and education, we wonder why we continue to have so much violence and ugliness in this world. The importance of a humanities education is that it forces us to question the status quo. It helps us to unlearn linear models of thinking, and move into relational thinking. It helps us to prioritize human lives over the gain of capital.
PROJECTED BUDGET
PKR=Pakistani Rupee (USD=US Dollar)
Over 400 discipline specific books have already been donated, which decreases the overall startup costs for the Center. Therefore, donations will cover additional costs, including salaries, facilities, and emergency funds, including legal, medical, and natural disaster insurance.
SALARIES:
Visiting Professor Salary (5 courses): 2,000,625 PKR (12,500 USD)
Part Time House Helper for 12 months: 300,000 PKR (1,872 USD)
Security Guard (optional) for 12 months: 300,000 PKR (1,872 USD)
Part Time Gardener for 12 months: 180,000 PKR (1,123 USD)
FACILITIES:
Rent (Gas & Electricity) for 12 months: 1,920,000 PKR (12,000 USD)
Minor Building Renovations and Furniture: 960,300 PKR (6,000 USD)
Food for Classes and Meetings: 540,000 PKR (3,370 USD)
AC/Heater Units: 432,000 PKR (2,700 USD)
Laptop Computers: 276,000 PKR (1,722 USD)
Refrigerator: 138,000 PKR (860 USD)
Projector: 115,000 PKR (718 USD)
Internet for 12 months: 60,000 PKR (375 USD)
Water Dispensers: 57,000 PKR (356 USD)
Microwave: 26,000 PKR (162 USD)
Ceiling Fans: 25,000 PKR (156 USD)
Printer Copier Scanner: 10,000 PKR (62 USD)
Emergency Fund: (5000 USD)
Discipline Specific Books: (9100 USD) -- Donated Generously by Fundraising Team.
TOTAL Amount Needed for Project Launch: 50,848 USD
It is no longer good enough to give charity for food and shelter. While those are the basic needs of any human and worthy causes to invest in, a long term change in any region can only take place through quality education. An educational charity that stops at funding girls’ elementary schools is no longer going to cut it.
We need quality higher education, that is accessible.
We need quality higher education, that moves beyond the STEM fields.
We need quality higher education, that focuses on the Humanities, particularly Gender & Sexuality Studies, rooted in people's own cultures and philosophies.
Trying to figure out how much to donate? Consider the average cost of a college course you paid at your university. Or consider the cost of your favorite collection of books. Education is expensive, but through this community-based approach, students in Pakistan can access a quality Humanities education through a “pay what you can” model.
This startup campaign is meant to begin a more sustainable long-term process which includes professional grant writers, who are already searching for global funding opportunities to support the Center once it is established. Our fundraising team consists not only of the host of this fundraiser but an international group of scholars and students, with decades of higher education, community and nonprofit expertise.
***NOTE: While Eva is running this campaign in the US, this is due to the lack of accessibility of GFM in Pakistan, and to protect the identities of those involved given the risks of working on such a project in this region. Eva is merely the middle person, and is happy to answer any questions you may have about what is happening with the group that is working on this project locally, the words above are written by the community organizers.***
If you are a family foundation or large grant giving entity, please email evapeskin [at] protonmail [dot] com for a detailed grant proposal.
Organizer
Eva Peskin
Organizer
Baltimore, MD
