Women's Electoral Empowerment in Pakistan
GHRTV
11-12-2023
Eleni Patlaka
Pakistan Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence
Ahead of the upcoming February 8 elections, the acting Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Murtaza Solangi, expressed his concerns and stressed the importance of women's participation in the electoral process [1].
Using the example of Benazir Bhutto, the first female prime minister in the Muslim world to come from Pakistan, he noted the urgent need for women's empowerment and active participation in elections [1]. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, despite an increase of 11.74 million women's registration in the electoral rolls, there is still a gender gap [2].
The practices observed in more conservative constituencies during the last elections continue to call into question women's participation in the electoral process. For example, phenomena such as the dissemination of messages against women's participation or even the physical intimidation of women entering polling stations by influential persons such as political party officials and local elders are of concern [3]. For these reasons, Mr. Solangi argued that eliminating gender discrimination will only be achieved by changing social attitudes. Specifically, in addition to state laws, the process of gender awareness should start in the private sphere, i.e. within the confines of the home, where daughters should have rights equal to those of men [1].
Sources and further reading:
[1] Pakistan Today. (2023). Solangi underlines significance of active role of women in electoral process. [online] Available at: https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2023/12/11/solangi-underlines-significance-of-active-role-of-women-in-electoral-process/ [Accessed 11 Dec. 2023].
[2] Khan, I.A. (2023). 11.7m women added to voter list, but vast gender gap remains. [online] DAWN.COM. Available at: https://www.dawn.com/news/1776818 [Accessed 11 Dec. 2023].
[3] Ijaz, S. (2023). Pakistan Faces Severe Voter Gender Gap | Human Rights Watch. [online] Human Rights Watch. Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/11/20/pakistan-faces-severe-voter-gender-gap .
