Over 220 million people call Pakistan home, and various variables, including cultural traditions, economic growth, and political instability, have formed the nation’s complicated political landscape. Pakistan has come a long way regarding women’s political participation. However, there is still a long way to go before gender equality in politics is achieved. With pertinent information, we will examine the advancements and difficulties of gender and politics in Pakistan in this blog.
Progress
Pakistan has come a long way in terms of women’s political participation over the years. The Pakistani Constitution first allowed women to vote and run for office in 1973. Since then, several laws and regulations have been implemented to promote women’s political involvement. For instance, a quota system was implemented in 2002 to allocate specific seats for women in the National Assembly and provincial assemblies. As a result, significantly more women are elected to political office.
The stats below indicate the development during the last few years:
- Women comprised 20.7% of the National Assembly in 2018, compared to 3.0% in 2002.
- By 2021, there will be 20.0% more women in the Senate than in 2002 (8.0%).
- Women comprise 22.6% more of the provincial assembly than in 2002 (3.3%).
These figures demonstrate Pakistan’s progress in boosting the representation of women in politics. However, to achieve gender equality in politics, much work still needs to be done, and it is vital to remember that.
Challenges
Women in Pakistan still need to work on engaging in politics, despite the advancements made. Several of these difficulties include:
Cultural barriers: Pakistan’s patriarchal society frequently restricts women’s duties to the home. Many women are prevented from participating in politics by cultural hurdles. In Pakistan, women have lower levels of schooling than males do.
Violence and harassment: Women in Pakistan’s politics frequently experience violence and harassment. Physical harm, sexual harassment, and internet abuse can all fall under this category.
Resource accessibility issues: Women in Pakistan frequently lack access to funds and campaign materials. They may need help to run for office as a result.
The following statistics highlight some of these difficulties:
- 59% of Pakistani women and 30% of males lack literacy, according to the Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Survey.
- According to a survey by the Aurat Foundation, 84% of Pakistan’s female lawmakers have experienced harassment or violence at work.
- A study by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems found that 75% of female candidates in Pakistan reported having to rely on personal savings to pay for their campaigns. This indicates that women candidates frequently encounter financial difficulties.
These figures demonstrate that women in Pakistan continue to experience significant barriers to political participation. Therefore, to achieve gender equality in politics, it will be essential to address these issues.
Remedial Measures
Increasing knowledge and education about women’s rights and the value of women’s engagement in politics is one strategy to address these issues. Examples are initiatives to encourage girls’ education and programs to support and prepare women who desire to run for office. Political parties can also help by enacting quotas and subsidies for female candidates, encouraging women to run for office.
It’s also crucial to address harassment and violence against women in politics. This may entail making laws and regulations that safeguard women against harassment and assault stronger, as well as offering assistance and resources to those who have been the targets of such behavior.
Access to resources is a further essential topic to concentrate on. For their campaigns to be successful, female candidates require access to finance, campaign supplies, and other resources. Women from marginalized communities may find this particularly difficult because they may encounter different obstacles. Political parties, civil society organizations, and the government must work together to address issues.
Finally, women and politics in Pakistan are complex issues that call for a comprehensive strategy. Despite improvements in women’s political participation, there is still a long way to go before gender equality. It will need a coordinated effort from all facets of society to address the obstacles women experience when participating in politics. Together, we can build a political system that reflects the variety of Pakistan’s population and is more inclusive and sustainable.
Final words
Women’s political participation in Pakistan has come a long way. However, achieving gender equality in politics still has a long way to go. Significant obstacles for women in Pakistan include cultural barriers, a lack of educational opportunities, assault and harassment, and restricted access to resources. Policymakers, civil society organizations, and the general public must work together to address these issues. We can build a better future by cooperating.
