Empowering Women in Politics: Urgent Calls for Reform in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – A significant roundtable event, titled “Raising Her Voice in Politics,” convened women parliamentarians, civil society leaders, and policy specialists. This initiative was co-hosted by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) to spotlight the critical issue of women’s participation in Pakistani politics.

The Need for Political Reform

Participants from various political parties, including PPP, PML-N, PTI, JUI, and MQM-P, emphasized the persistent underrepresentation of women in politics and advocated for immediate reforms at both the party and legislative levels.

Voices from the Women’s Caucus

MNA Shahida Rehmani, Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus, welcomed the attendees and stressed the importance of not only including women in political landscapes but also empowering them to influence their own destinies. She remarked, “Despite the 5% quota requirement under the Elections Act 2017, compliance remains weak.” Her comments pointed to deeper issues of gatekeeping and inadequate support within party structures.

Gender Representation: The Current Landscape

According to research conducted by SDPI, women constitute 49% of Pakistan’s population, with 59 million registered female voters as of 2024. Nevertheless, only 42% of these women participated in the most recent general elections, reflecting a 5% decline from 2018. This statistic starkly illustrates women’s minimal influence in political decision-making.

Outcomes of SDPI’s Analysis

An analysis of 19 political parties in Parliament revealed that only five complied with the mandated 5% nomination quota for women on general seats. Notable exceptions included the Balochistan National Party and the Awami National Party, which managed to include 9 and 10 women in their Central Executive Committees, respectively—indicative of positive practices that are still far from common.

Legal Framework and Recommendations

Further review of the Political Parties Order (PPO) 2002, alongside the Elections Act 2017, highlighted a significant gap. The 2013 amendment introduced the 5% nomination quota; however, an important provision calling for 33% representation of women in political bodies remains unimplemented. Qasim Shah, Deputy Executive Director of SDPI, proposed critical amendments to enforce at least 33% representation for women in leadership positions across political parties.

Consensus on Actions Needed

Attendees at the roundtable universally endorsed the recommendations for institutional reform and called for comprehensive gender audits within political parties. As Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director of SDPI, noted, true inclusivity in democracy requires more than symbolic representation; women must be positioned to lead at all levels of decision-making.

Conclusion: A Commitment to Reform

In closing, MNA Tahira Aurangzeb of PML-N expressed appreciation for SDPI’s findings and reiterated the Caucus’s dedication to progressive reforms. She stated, “Women should comprise 50% of all political parties,” recognizing their critical role in effective governance and utilizing development resources more efficiently, as shown by Punjab’s advancements under female leadership.