The Institute for Gender Studies (IGS) aims to conduct high-level research projects, hold international symposia and seminars, publish books, reports, and an annual journal, develop educational programs, expand domestic and international academic networks, and contribute to society through the dissemination of research findings.
The history of IGS began in 1975 as the first national Archive of Women’s Studies. In 1986, it was reorganized and became the Institute for Women’s Studies, emphasizing academic research and educational activities. In 1996, it became the Institute for Gender Studies (IGS) with broadened international perspectives on gender studies. From 2003 to 2007, IGS collaborated with the 21st century Center of Excellence (COE) project entitled “Frontiers of Gender Studies” which was funded by the Japanese government. The outcome of the program includes establishment of Master’s and Doctoral courses on gender studies in the Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences.
In 2015, Ochanomizu University celebrated its 140th anniversary, and established the Research Organization for the Promotion of Global Women’s Leadership under which the IGS and the Institute for Global Leadership (IGL) operate. The research organization is designed to reinforce our university’s missions to foster female leaders capable of performing on global stages and to conduct advanced academic research on gender issues. Combined into the new Research Organization, IGS began to perform a new role in the university.
Dvelopment of the Institute for Gender Studies
| Year | Events |
|---|---|
| 1875 | Tokyo Women’s Normal School, the forerunner of Ochanomizu University, founded |
| 1949 | National University, Ochanomizu University, founded |
| 1975 | International Women’s Year First World Conference on Women in Mexico City Archive of Women’s Studies founded as the first research and documentation center for women’s studies in Japan |
| 1979 | Adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in UN General Assembly |
| 1980 | Second World Conference on Women in Copenhagen |
| 1985 | Third World Conference on Women in Nairobi Ratification of Equal Employment Opportunity Law between Men and Women |
| 1986 | The Institute for Women’s Studies established |
| 1993 | Department of Women’s Studies, Doctoral Program, initiated at the Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences at Ochanomizu University |
| 1995 | Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing |
| 1996 | Institute for Gender Studies (IGS) established Ochanomizu University is the first Japanese university to found an institute under the name of Gender Studies |
| 1997 | Department of Gender and Development Studies, Master’s Program established at Ochanomizu University |
| 1998 | Within Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Department of Women’s Studies reorganized as Department of Gender Studies |
| 1999 | Approval of the Basic Law for a Gender-Equal Society |
| 2000 | UN General Assembly Special Session on ‘Women 2000’ in New York |
| 2003 | The 21st century COE Program entitled Frontiers of Gender Studies (F-GENS) launched |
| 2004 | The National University Corporation, Ochanomizu University, founded IGS remains as Joint Research and Educational Facility |
| 2005 | Doctoral Program in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies founded |
| 2006 | Master’s Program, Gender and Social Science in Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, founded |
| 2007 | The Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences reorganized |
| 2010 | UN Women established |
| 2015 | Research Organization for the Promotion of Global Women’s Readership established UN Women Japan Liaison Office opened in Bunkyo Civic Center |