Kinnaird College, a well-known ‘women’s’ liberal arts educational institution in Lahore, recently articulated a job ad looking for motivated and dedicated individuals for various teaching and non-teaching (administrative staff) positions. The notification has, however, offended many. Want to know why? Read ahead!
About Kinnaird College
Kinnaird College was founded in the early 20th century by the Zenana Bible and Medical Mission (now known as the International Service Fellowship or simply Interserve). Named after the co-founder of Young Women’s Christian Association, Lady Mary Jane Kinnaird (who’s also a bright philanthropist), initially aimed to empower Punjabi Christian women by providing them the opportunity to emerge as professionally qualified teachers.
However, after partition, Kinnaird college (the student body was now predominantly Muslim majority) expanded its domain. It started offering courses related to science, nursing, social work, etc. to encourage higher education among women. By 2002, it was permitted to award government degrees to the graduates, and the Association of Kinnaird College assumed the administration.
Kinnaird college has progressed at an unprecedented rate ever since and has blessed the world with its notable alumni that include the legendary author Bano Qudsia, the exceptional English novelist Bapsi Sidhwa and the famous singer and songwriter Hadiqa Kiani, among others.
Is Kinnaird College still on track?
Having done so much for women empowerment and women education initially, the recent turn of events has angered the masses to the core.
According to Kinnaird College’s recent job ad, the institute is looking for “Male Only” IT and Administration Managers and HR Officers and also has a vacancy for a “Female Only” Office Assistant. People are infuriated at the patriarchal mindset that the job ad manifests, that too, coming from a well-reputed “women’s college.” The ad is hugely problematic and highly questionable without any doubt.
Netizens Call-Out Kinnaird’s Administration For Reinforcing Stereotypes
People have started pouring out their anger and frustration on Twitter, questioning what exactly makes the administration of the institute think that women are inept for the posts reserved for male candidates only, as per their ad.
Have a look at it yourself:
You know what is exhausting? THIS! Fact that there are institutes like #KinnairdCollege who missed the memo that this is #2020 & women can serve on all posts they have specified for ONLY MALE candidates! To think this is a college from where so many pioneering women passed out. pic.twitter.com/gZsliFoYNp
— afia salam (@afiasalam) September 21, 2020
The logic of hiring a male oblu HR officer in a girls university escapes me. Also it’s legally discriminatory! https://t.co/OqXYPc9B60
— Séphora (@valkyrie786) September 22, 2020
What’s this #KinnairdCollege. You seriously think there aren’t any qualified women for these posts? Or is it that they’re so good & in demand they’ll never consider working with you. It’s very much the latter & that means that you need to become a more attractive employer https://t.co/aL6CS9tDfY
— Osama Siddique (@DrOsamaSiddique) September 22, 2020
Are the current stakeholders following the footsteps of Kinnaird’s founders?
It’s a lot more disappointing than surprising that a “women’s” college that was initially established to empower and educate women has, even though maintained a commendable alumni record, is now at the mercy of a patriarchal and misogynist administration.
Will Kinnaird’s administration look over the havoc that their discriminatory job ad has created? What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below!
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