EXPLORING THE CHALLENGES OF WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN THE GOVERNANCE SYSTEM OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study explores the status, challenges, and progress of women’s participation in the governance system of Pakistan. Despite making up nearly 49% of the population, women remain significantly underrepresented in political and decision-making roles. While constitutional provisions have reserved 60 seats for women in the 342-member National Assembly since 2002, actual influence in governance remains limited. Most women enter politics through party-nominated reserved seats, with fewer than 20 women elected on general seats in the 2018 elections. Using a qualitative-dominant mixed-methods approach, this research includes analysis of Election Commission data and 20 in-depth interviews with women legislators, party workers, civil society leaders, and policy analysts. The findings reveal that systemic barriers such as patriarchal norms, party control, lack of political training, and limited financial resources continue to restrict women’s full participation. Around 85% of interviewed women highlighted party control as a major barrier, while 90% cited social attitudes as a key obstacle. Regional disparities were also evident, with women from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa facing more pronounced exclusion compared to those from Punjab and Sindh. Despite these challenges, the study identifies growing awareness, media engagement, and civil society support as emerging enablers. The research concludes that reforms such as direct elections for reserved seats, party-level inclusiveness, leadership training, and legal protection are essential to move from symbolic to substantive representation. Strengthening local governance roles and institutional mechanisms like the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus is also critical. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on gender equity in Pakistan by providing policy-relevant insights supported by empirical evidence. It emphasizes that without meaningful inclusion of women, Pakistan’s democratic and developmental goals will remain incomplete.