Women’s Political Participation and Representation in Pakistan: Critical Analysis

Abstract

Worldwide it is observed that the existence of a true democratic rule has not been
possibly implemented without bringing women into mainstream politics and providing
them due representation at the decision making and administrative level. In Pakistan,
women have constituted more than half of the population, therefore, equal
participation of women in political life has a fundamental function at larger
developmental stages for the progression of women and society as well. The underline
study discussed secondary data that was critically analyzed by using percentage of
women representation in national and provincial assemblies of Pakistan and various
challenges and obstacles that women have been facing to get their equal participation.
A thought provoking process of interconnecting women’s numerical strength in the
Parliament introduced tremendous developments and its positive consequences on
women’s political participation. The analysis, on the basis of collective facts, showed
the importance of women role, empowerment, and performance in mainstream politics
that has been somehow suppressed in the process of political participation.