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WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESS OF PAKISTAN: CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS
Corresponding Author(s) : Nosheen Zaheer
Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews,
Vol. 9 No. 1 (2021): January
Abstract
Objectives: This study seeks to examine the specific challenges and barriers related to women's participation in politics and decision-making within the context of Pakistan.
Methodology: This study deploys literature review and historical analysis to understand the context and causes of women's underrepresentation. Furthermore, sociocultural analysis is used to assess the societal norms and cultural factors affecting women's participation in politics. Institutional analysis is used to evaluate the structural barriers and policies that hinder women's political involvement.
Findings: The outcomes of this study indicates that women in Pakistan face persistent obstacles to active participation in politics as well as these obstacles stem from historical, sociocultural, and institutional factors. Furthermore, the underrepresentation of women in political positions has adverse effects on Pakistan's democratic framework, including limited diversity and inclusivity. The study identifies the need for comprehensive measures to remove these barriers and promote a more equal and representative political landscape in Pakistan.
Applications of the study: Policymakers can use the findings to develop strategies and policies aimed at promoting women's political participation in Pakistan. In addition, civil society organizations can leverage the study's insights to advocate for gender-inclusive political reforms. Educational institutions can incorporate this research into their curriculum to raise awareness about gender disparities in politics. Furthermore, international organizations can support initiatives that address gender inequality in Pakistani politics based on the study's recommendations.
Novelty/Originality of the study: The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive examination of the obstacles hindering women's participation in politics in Pakistan, encompassing historical, sociocultural, and institutional aspects. Additionally, it emphasizes the practical implications of women's underrepresentation on the democratic framework of the country. This holistic approach provides a unique perspective on the issue and offers valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to address gender disparities in politics.
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- Ahmed, Z.S(2002). Islam and the Politics of Secularism in Pakistan. Religions, 14(416). https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14030416
- Akram , S, Azhar D M Basit D. (2020). Legislative Initiatives of 14th National Assembly of Pakistan: A Critical Analysis. Pakistan Social Sciences Review, 4(1), 229-246. https://doi.org/10.35484/pssr.2020(4-I)19
- Ali, A., & Ahmad, I. (2016). Environment friendly products: factors that influence the green purchase intentions of Pakistani consumers. Pakistan Journal of Engineering, Technology & Science, 2(1). 55-67. https://doi.org/10.22555/pjets.v2i1.697
- Ali, P. A., & Gavino, M. I. B. (2008). Violence against women in Pakistan: A framework for analysis. Journal-Pakistan Medical Association, 58(4), 198.
- Ali, T. S., Karmaliani, R., Khuwaja, H. M. A., Shah, N. Z., Wadani, Z. H., Aijaz, S., & Kulane, A. (2020). Community stakeholders’ views on reducing violence against women in Pakistan. BMC women's health, 20(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-020-00961-3
- Awan, Muhammad Ali. 2016. Political Participation of Women in Pakistan Historical and Political Dynamics Shaping the Structure of Politics for Women. Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt.
- Bano, S. (2009). Women in Parliament in Pakistan: Problems and potential solutions. Women's Studies Journal, 23(1), 19.
- Bari, F. (2000). Country Briefing Paper: Women in Pakistan. Asian Development Bank, Programs Department (West) and Office of Environment and Social Development.
- http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/Country_Briefing_Papers/Women_in_Pakistan/prelims.pdf
- Bhave, A., & Kingston, C. (2010). Military coups and the consequences of durable de facto power: the case of Pakistan. Economics of Governance, 11, 51-76. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10101-009-0068-9
- Dawn Staff Reporter. (2020, January 22). Underrepresentation of women in politics highlighted. Dawn. https://www.dawn.com/news/1529724
- Entman, R. M. (2006). Young men of color in the media: Images and impacts. Washington, DC: Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Health Policy Institute, 1(1), 5-34.
- Ishaq Ahmad, Shahida Aman. 2021 Women’s rights in Pakistan: A study of religious and alternate discourses regarding women’s participation in politics Liberal Arts & Social Sciences International Journal, 5(1),123-138. https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.lassij/5.1.9
- Jenichen, S. R. A., & Anne, J. (2017). The unhappy marriage of religion and politics: Problems and pitfalls for gender equality. In Current Issues in Law and Religion (pp. 381-399). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315095165-18
- Kamray, A. (2020, September 15). For women in politics, Pakistan still lags behind. The Express Tribune. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2264059/forwomen-in-politics-pakistan-still-lags-behind
- Kayser, B. J. (2013). Politics or Piety, The Women of Pakistan. [Doctoral Thesis. Drew University].
- Kazmi, S. S. (2018, December 14). 2018 elections very significant from women’s point of view: NCSW. Dawn. https://www.dawn.com/news/1451269
- Kenoyer, J. M. (1991). Ornament styles of the Indus valley tradition: evidence from recent excavations at Harappa, Pakistan. Paléorient, 79-98. https://doi.org/10.3406/paleo.1991.4553
- Khan, A., & Naqvi, S. (2020). Dilemmas of Representation: Women in Pakistan’s Assemblies. Asian Affairs, 51(2), 286-306. https://doi.org/10.1080/03068374.2020.1748414
- Khan, F. S. (2020, October 9). Women in Politics. The News International. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/726526-women-in-politics
- Latif, A., Usman, D. A., Kataria, J. R., & Abdullah, M. (2020). Female political participation in South Asia: A case study of Pakistan. South Asian Studies, 30(2).
- Merry, S. E. (2003). Human rights law and the demonization of culture (and anthropology along the way). PoLAR, 26, 55. https://doi.org/10.1525/pol.2003.26.1.55
- Sattar, N. (2020, March 10). Women’s Work. Dawn. https://www.dawn.com/news/1539668
- Torlak, N. G., & Kuzey, C. (2019). Leadership, job satisfaction and performance links in private education institutes of Pakistan. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 68(2), 276-295. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-05-2018-0182
- Women Development Department, Government of the Punjab. (2021). Women's Rights: Constitutional Provisions Regarding Fundamental Rights. https://wdd.punjab.gov.pk/women_rights
References
Ahmed, Z.S(2002). Islam and the Politics of Secularism in Pakistan. Religions, 14(416). https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14030416
Akram , S, Azhar D M Basit D. (2020). Legislative Initiatives of 14th National Assembly of Pakistan: A Critical Analysis. Pakistan Social Sciences Review, 4(1), 229-246. https://doi.org/10.35484/pssr.2020(4-I)19
Ali, A., & Ahmad, I. (2016). Environment friendly products: factors that influence the green purchase intentions of Pakistani consumers. Pakistan Journal of Engineering, Technology & Science, 2(1). 55-67. https://doi.org/10.22555/pjets.v2i1.697
Ali, P. A., & Gavino, M. I. B. (2008). Violence against women in Pakistan: A framework for analysis. Journal-Pakistan Medical Association, 58(4), 198.
Ali, T. S., Karmaliani, R., Khuwaja, H. M. A., Shah, N. Z., Wadani, Z. H., Aijaz, S., & Kulane, A. (2020). Community stakeholders’ views on reducing violence against women in Pakistan. BMC women's health, 20(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-020-00961-3
Awan, Muhammad Ali. 2016. Political Participation of Women in Pakistan Historical and Political Dynamics Shaping the Structure of Politics for Women. Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt.
Bano, S. (2009). Women in Parliament in Pakistan: Problems and potential solutions. Women's Studies Journal, 23(1), 19.
Bari, F. (2000). Country Briefing Paper: Women in Pakistan. Asian Development Bank, Programs Department (West) and Office of Environment and Social Development.
http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/Country_Briefing_Papers/Women_in_Pakistan/prelims.pdf
Bhave, A., & Kingston, C. (2010). Military coups and the consequences of durable de facto power: the case of Pakistan. Economics of Governance, 11, 51-76. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10101-009-0068-9
Dawn Staff Reporter. (2020, January 22). Underrepresentation of women in politics highlighted. Dawn. https://www.dawn.com/news/1529724
Entman, R. M. (2006). Young men of color in the media: Images and impacts. Washington, DC: Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Health Policy Institute, 1(1), 5-34.
Ishaq Ahmad, Shahida Aman. 2021 Women’s rights in Pakistan: A study of religious and alternate discourses regarding women’s participation in politics Liberal Arts & Social Sciences International Journal, 5(1),123-138. https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.lassij/5.1.9
Jenichen, S. R. A., & Anne, J. (2017). The unhappy marriage of religion and politics: Problems and pitfalls for gender equality. In Current Issues in Law and Religion (pp. 381-399). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315095165-18
Kamray, A. (2020, September 15). For women in politics, Pakistan still lags behind. The Express Tribune. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2264059/forwomen-in-politics-pakistan-still-lags-behind
Kayser, B. J. (2013). Politics or Piety, The Women of Pakistan. [Doctoral Thesis. Drew University].
Kazmi, S. S. (2018, December 14). 2018 elections very significant from women’s point of view: NCSW. Dawn. https://www.dawn.com/news/1451269
Kenoyer, J. M. (1991). Ornament styles of the Indus valley tradition: evidence from recent excavations at Harappa, Pakistan. Paléorient, 79-98. https://doi.org/10.3406/paleo.1991.4553
Khan, A., & Naqvi, S. (2020). Dilemmas of Representation: Women in Pakistan’s Assemblies. Asian Affairs, 51(2), 286-306. https://doi.org/10.1080/03068374.2020.1748414
Khan, F. S. (2020, October 9). Women in Politics. The News International. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/726526-women-in-politics
Latif, A., Usman, D. A., Kataria, J. R., & Abdullah, M. (2020). Female political participation in South Asia: A case study of Pakistan. South Asian Studies, 30(2).
Merry, S. E. (2003). Human rights law and the demonization of culture (and anthropology along the way). PoLAR, 26, 55. https://doi.org/10.1525/pol.2003.26.1.55
Sattar, N. (2020, March 10). Women’s Work. Dawn. https://www.dawn.com/news/1539668
Torlak, N. G., & Kuzey, C. (2019). Leadership, job satisfaction and performance links in private education institutes of Pakistan. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 68(2), 276-295. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-05-2018-0182
Women Development Department, Government of the Punjab. (2021). Women's Rights: Constitutional Provisions Regarding Fundamental Rights. https://wdd.punjab.gov.pk/women_rights