Breaking Barriers and Promoting Women's Political Inclusion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP): Empowering Women in Pakistani Politics
By Riaz Laghari
Islamabad, July 13, 2023
Introduction
Women's empowerment and gender equality are essential components of a progressive society. Although Pakistan has made tremendous progress toward encouraging women's involvement in politics, there are still significant obstacles to be overcome. The difference between female MPs and the lack of female ministers and advisors in the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) demonstrate how underrepresented women are in elected positions today. We discuss the underrepresentation of women in Pakistani politics in this article and the necessity for coordinated measures to remedy this problem.
The 2018 KP Election: A Step Ahead
Women's political representation in KP saw a major improvement in the 2018 election. 27 women were elected as members of the provincial assemblies (MPAs), with 18 coming from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. This was evidence of the growing acceptance of women in politics and their significant contributions to administration.
An Unrealized Possibility: Differences in gender within the Provincial Cabinet
It is disappointing to see that no female MPAs were appointed as ministers or advisors in the KP provincial government, despite the positive election results in 2018. The lack of women in leadership roles impedes efforts to create a government that is truly inclusive and representative. By giving qualified women equal opportunity to contribute their knowledge and perspectives to policy-making and governance, we must close this gender gap.
Polls on Women in Local Government: An Impressive Participation
An outstanding number of female candidates actively participated in the local government elections, which were held with the goal of enhancing grassroots democracy. In total, 4,214 women ran for 2,654 seats in different KP districts. These figures demonstrate how eager and determined women are to participate in politics and change the world on a grassroots level.
Breakdown by District: Promoting Regional Participation
The distribution of women's political participation in KP may be seen by looking at the district-by-district breakdown of candidates for local government. While more women ran for office in some districts than others, there is always opportunity for growth. This analysis can be used as a starting point to pinpoint areas in need of focused efforts to increase women's political engagement and representation.
Promoting women's political inclusion as we move forward
The underrepresentation of women in politics must be addressed, and there must be coordinated efforts at all levels. During the candidate selection process, political parties ought to make an effort to support and promote female candidates, ensure just and equitable representation. Affirmative action policies, like quotas for women in elected office, can also help level the playing field and promote participation among women.
Furthermore, it is critical to create a supportive climate that addresses the challenges experienced by women in politics. These obstacles include gender-based discrimination, a lack of finances, access to education, and training, and social norms. We may empower women to overcome obstacles and actively participate in politics by addressing these issues.
Conclusion
The lack of women in key decision-making positions in the KP provincial cabinet and their underrepresentation in elected posts serve as clear indicators that immediate action is required. We can build a more equal and forward-thinking society by expanding the political participation of women and making sure their perspectives are heard. Political parties, decision-makers, civil society organizations, and the general public should support initiatives to encourage women's political engagement in order to pave the road for a more inclusive and prosperous Pakistan. Let's work together to remove obstacles and give women the authority they need to play a full part in determining the course of our country.
Sources:
The News, January 31, 2020
The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2021
