WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS OF PAKISTAN: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES (2013-2018)

This thesis aims at understanding Women participation in the Politics of Pakistan: Challenges and Opportunities 2013-2018.The aim of this report is usually to acknowledge Female participation in the Politics of Pakistan from the viewpoint of the country's history. Check out the factors which may have changed the perceptions and behaviors of consumers towards female candidates. Analyze the issues experienced by female political representatives (2013-2018) Policy measures to encourage females which help enhance political opportunities. Political females, nonetheless, face challenging situations. The traditional roles of females in the house and outside of it aren't always in line with one another. A Female's gender identity is considered domestic in Pakistan. The patriarchal system makes it hard for females to be involved in politics. Low literacy rate in females, gender discrimination, and stereotypical and conservative thinking of modern society are several reasons behind this phenomenon. Mainstreaming gender in all policy areas can be performed by females in decision-making positions. Based on the research study, girls in Pakistan face hurdles in their political participation due to a male-dominated society. Girls in the Pakistan community were expected to deal with the kids and do household chores


INTRODUCTION Description of the Research
It's probable that democratic government is based on public participation, description of Research work.Females' role is very vital in shaping a democratic society.The female job is usually to multitask.They play a significant part in the economic and sociopolitical development of society.When we examine the political horizons of all states, the participation of females cannot be ignored.Ladies play a major role in politics in evolved countries, while this's nonetheless a contentious issue in developing countries.Girls in developing countries aren't permitted to get involved in politics in a good way.In Pakistan, females are expected to have the lower levels of politics.Participating in politics presented them with a variety of difficulties.To know or perhaps even understand this political behavior or culture, we've to analyze or perhaps even comprehend the elements which contribute to shaping such a kind of political culture.
This research sought to understand the political participation of females in Pakistan, in which they faced challenges or obstacles for their political rights.There's no constitutional restriction on female's participation in politics as candidates, but this is still an arguable issue as a result of the patriarchal system and religious extremism.In this religious extremist society, female's participation is considered "haram."or offensive the authorities in Pakistan took steps to boost female's political involvement.For instance, the number of females representatives in the National Assembly was twenty, but in 2002 it was raised to sixty, but it was still under males.
Under the military regime of General Zia ul Haq, the ten reserved seats for females were increased to twenty.During the regime of General Pervaiz Musharraf, it significantly increased.Under the parliamentary reforms during 2000-2002, they were increased from 20 to 60 in national assembly.In Pakistan, females hold important political posts and are members of Parliament, but despite this number of seats, males aren't comparable to them.Although females are indirectly elected, this quota system has created political discrimination and inequalities.A prior study showed that Pakistan was number fifty five out of eighty-six number in 2012 according to statistics of the Social Organization of Gender Equality.
Pakistan will be the very first Islamic country to host a female as Prime Minister, Speaker of the National Assembly, Opposition Leader, and Cabinet Member.But the main obstacle between women representation is the patriarchal system and religious extremism.There are many schools of thoughts that hinders the political development of women.The top of the list is that the women participation is prohibited in Islam.2nd, women are created half as compared to men so their representation cannot be equal with men.
Legislation in Pakistan shows the rising number of females in politics, but the gender gap in the world reflects at 52 in the index.Nevertheless, gender quotas have been raised in the country while political empowerment is at 52.The misery will be that the non-participation and lack of possibilities for females in the political process will be the outcome of the various components which are contained in Pakistan, practical and institutional barriers.Nevertheless, it's encouraging that females were elected to higher positions in the Parliament from 2013 to 2018, Fehmida Mirza was elected as the Speaker of the National Assembly, and this was the very first time in political history a female was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs.Hina Rabbani Khar had been a landmark for females in 2018.The Government also elected Sherry Rahman as the Speaker of the Senate.Significant political achievements for female representation will be found from 2008 to 2013.From 2008 to 2013, the PPP Government completed the most commendable work.This time is noted for the advancement of female Parliamentarians.
Based on the report of the 2018 general election, the number of female's party tickets in the country was hundred 5. Candidates for female were 66 as independent representatives.In 2013, the figure was 74 based on party tickets, so the amount of independent female candidates in numbers was 71.In 2008, there were 43 party ticket holders and 31 independent candidates.This study indicates the number has increased, but the political interest and opportunities of females have not yet reached a large number, so that female political interest in society cannot be considered satisfactory.It's said that males monopolize the leadership of all the political parties.Democratic practices continue to be discouraged.The restrictions on the political opportunities of females will be as a result of the hegemonic position of male in politics that gives rise to the political culture of monopolies.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Global gender index has showed the true depiction of women participation in politics in Pakistan by putting it at the index scale of 52.Contrary to this, during the era of 2013 to 2018, political revolution occurred in the form of women participation.Fehmida Mirza, a well-known name in the political era of Pakistan who was elected as the "Speaker of National Assembly".Similarly, Hina Rabbani Khar who was appointed as the Foreign Minister of Pakistan brought the revolutionary outburst in the women participation of Pakistani politics.In addition to this, election of Sherry Rahman for the post of "Senate Speaker" opened the window for increased women participation into the Pakistani Politics.Therefore, it can be observed that women participation passed through ups and down in the history of Pakistan.However, during the era of 2013 to 2018 women participation into politics got acceleration.
Therefore, the present study is the proximal approach to convey the world the unheard voice of the wrecked out talented women who want to participate into politics but are unable to do so due to various hindrances.Moreover, present study is having the clear objectives to highlight the social unjust behavior of the society towards the women participation into the politics of Pakistan putting the spotlight upon the era of 2013 to 2018.Furthermore, this study will become the hope for the disappointed women who want to participate into the politics to come out of the darkness and spend their lives with dignity and peace.Additionally, it will open a window for newcomers to come and work on the most necessary social aspects of the societies to provide the ease and contented lives to all the humanity (Politics, 2007).

Theoretical Reasons
The patriarchal and male-dominated social system is the biggest reason for the decline in women's participation in politics.It has created a system based on gender in which men have the upper hand in every aspect.This system has arranged the concepts of gender character in such a way that a woman, whether mother or wife, should be confined inside the house while men can work outside.This aspect is vitally important in reducing female's political participation in Pakistan.The primary reason behind female's exclusion from the political process is calling them a "hidden thing."

Political Reasons
The current dynamics of domestic politics is one more crucial element in female's exclusion from politics.Current perceptions of the state are that it is an out-of-home process and that individuals or families confined to the home have nothing to do with politics.Traditional interpretations such as 'inside the house' and 'outside the house' exclude women from the political scene, but if they enter politics, they become the mother, sister, daughter, or wife of a great politician.
Men's monopoly on politics, traditional roles of political parties and political structures are also major reasons for preventing women from participating in the political process.Due to the monopoly of men in political parties, national level issues, their views and ideologies are also seen in the context of men.In the context of women, the solution to their problems or their ideologies are usually ignored by political parties.Due to men's gender biases, women are not able to be elected to prominent and important positions in the structures of political parties (Alelaimat, 2019).

Social and Societal Reasons
In everyday life, women are considered subordinate to men, although the nature of women's subjugation varies from country to country.Gender ideologies not only widen the gap between men and women but also link them to a system in which women are considered inferior and men superior.Women's social and societal dependence on men is also a major reason for their decline in political participation.Due to unequal workload, domestic responsibilities, child rearing, a woman has no time to participate in politics or political action.After fulfilling the basic responsibilities of mother and wife, women have very little time left.Women also face social pressure to get out of the house.In the political process, men and women have to work together, but in our society, because the interaction between men and women is not liked, women do not participate in the political arena (Mlambo, 2019).

Economic Reasons
Politics is an expensive business these days and it requires a lot of money.Most Pakistani women are deprived of ownership of productive assets.Women are generally deprived of social rights and assets due to their lack of centrality in tribes, groups, territories and even in the family system, which has led to many basic rights such as political training or information, economic means, education and training and They do not have access to the media and do not become part of the political process despite such efforts (Mlambo, 2019).

Quota System
In view of the discriminatory attitudes towards women in the political and social structures of Pakistani society, specific quotas have been set for their inclusion in the political process, but the basic factors and infrastructures that discourage women have not been dismantled.Nor were they rearranged.Which was really needed.That is why women, in a political process or in practical politics, cannot be truly included anywhere.The weaker sections have, of course, a quota system for participation and representation in politics, but they have to create a strategy that increases female's participation in the political process in addition to in society, in order to give women real political autonomy.Review social and societal responsibilities and resources.In addition to providing quotas based on gender, they should also receive social and economic justice.
In view of these obstacles, if we analyze, there are some situations in which we see the presence of 17% women in the Senate and Assemblies, which is certainly a welcome thing, but it is not enough in terms of class.We value the participation of females in the political process as well as their presence within decision making bodies.But the question of true, effective, and full representation of women is still debatable.First, why this 17% representation?Based on the population, this representation should also be 50%.Second, working women are underrepresented.If we look at the statistics of the current assemblies, 35 of the 60 women in the reserved seats in the National Assembly are from Lahore, 14 from Karachi, 8 from Peshawar and 3 from Quetta.Women in small towns and rural areas have been neglected in reserved seats.The situation is almost the same in all four provincial assemblies.In the Punjab Assembly, there are 34 members from Lahore in the 66 reserved seats, which is more than half.Out of the total 30 seats in the Sindh Assembly, 15 belong to Karachi while the remaining 15 belong to the remaining districts of Sindh.In the Frontier Assembly, 13 out of 22 belong to Peshawar.In the Balochistan Assembly, 8 belong to Quetta and the remaining 3 women are representing the whole of Balochistan.Quotas do not mean giving reserved seats to a few women from powerful political families to prove that women from all walks of life are represented.We cannot ignore this aspect when talking about quotas.The facts above show that political parties have failed to ensure representation of females in their manifestos, decision making bodies, and reserved seats to guarantee their political autonomy and identity.A far more effective participation of females in the political process can be ensured by clear and major changes within the present family system, the infrastructure of economic structures and political institutions (Ashraf, 2012).

Constitutional Equality
Study reveals that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees equal rights for males & females.though female's status has improved somewhat in Pakistan (Literacy rate is 47 % in 2011 12 and unemployment is 1.18 % in 2010 11), although much better employment and literacy rates are good signs, a lot of women are denied the right to vote across the country, also by issuing ID cards.During the 2013 general elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the issue of barring females from voting came to the notice of the Election Commission, along with a system was put in place to stop such incidents, but the 2013 general elections in Pakhtunkhwa Saw many polling Either it had been banned by the community or perhaps family elders, or perhaps there was a perception among candidates that females shouldn't escape their homes so that they might vote on social and / or perhaps cultural grounds (Khan M. A., 2013) .

Political Participation of Women in Pakistan
The researcher described in this study about the historical and political dynamics that shape the Structure of Politics for Women.The aim of this report is usually to recognize the political participation of females from the viewpoint of country history in Pakistan.The article focuses on the historical development and modern situation, in addition to the social barriers which have challenged females to get involved in the political system.Political participation doesn't just count on election to the Legislative Assembly.Additionally, it comes with the role of females as representatives, members of political parties, along with other aspects of participation in the political process, structure, and system.An evaluation of these aspects can provide some practical recommendations for the full participation of females in the future in politics.In order to realize their full potential, Pakistani females have to be strong.Feminist Farzana Bari says Pakistani females have a long way to go before they could be given equal status with males.In an exclusive interview with VOA, Prof. Dr. Shaista Affandi says that she trained and educated the students as well as the female students, but after completing her education in plastic surgery, the female students faced discrimination and were forced to work in this field.Could not get prominent position.Women in Pakistan are emotionally strong.If they have awareness and education, no one can stop them from realizing their potential.Pakistan's rural women are lagging behind because they do not have education and awareness.In a male-dominated society, women need to change their thinking.If Pakistani women think about men's superiority over their own, she will drown and she will not be able to do anything.Only if women strengthen themselves can they walk side by side with men.Acid attacks last year burned 83 women in Pakistan.Regarding the plastic surgery and treatment of acid-affected women, Dr. Shaista Affandi says, Can start.Farzana Bari, feminist, says women's social status is important in society.He said that in view of International Women's Day, a long struggle was needed to give equal status to Pakistani women (Awan, 2016).

Political Cultural Values and Women
The traditional roles that females play in the house and in their activities and work outside the home are contradictory.The culturally accepted principle that females have got to first take appropriate care of their personal responsibilities at home and that the families of theirs should stop their entry and development into politics.They have to balance career and family.In general, society discourages females from engaging in activities outside the home since it impacts the family.
The main responsibilities of females are deemed to be wives and mothers.In these circumstances, a political career may come as a fourth or third job.The stigma of politics as dirty is somewhat associated with the prior idea.
There are lots of barriers to female's political participation around the planet.These barriers can be found in the present political structure and the present social and economic governments.Economic and social barriers to female's participation include unequal distribution of resources, lack of support and tradition to actively participate in politics, lack of confidence in women candidates, social and economic standards for the demand and political candidacy for political gain.
Girls in Pakistan have a small role in the parliament.During 2003 04 Senate sessions, females' senators only raised 201 questions (seven % of the total of 2,769).Likewise, just forty three of 335 resolutions have been moved by females' senators and just twenty six of 400 motions have been passed by them.Parliamentarians for females don't wish to raise female's issues due to party politics.We ought to think about the role of female's parliamentarians, who arrive at seats reserved for females.The key argument for gender quotas is generally made on many grounds, however the primary argument for this good move often includes: • The fact that females make up one half of the world's population, so it is simply a case of justice.
Demonstrate their numerical strength in political institutions.• Females have a certain view on political issues and politics, so the presence of theirs can make a positive change in politics.• They have specific interests because of their reproductive role and subordinate role in society, they're therefore present in political decision-making bodies to represent and protect female's interests.
The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) parliamentarians did not pass a bill to repeal discriminatory laws against females, citing the lack of a 2 -thirds majority.The PPP needs to present itself as a liberal female's party in the government's opposition today, so it's backed the bill.
Additionally, female's members of parliament have failed to represent female's interests, and the Legislature hasn't effectively articulated the consensus reached in the last 27 years by female's human rights and rights activists' organizations on the repeal of the Hudood Ordinance.They All echoed their party positions.Female's rights group Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) was at the leading edge of the opposition to the bill.His counterparts in The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam (PML Q), The Pakistan People's Party (The PPP and Muttahida) Qaumi Movement (MQM) also pushed the amendment forward.Female parliamentarians who It was essential for her to speak up for the interests of females in order to justify her existence and presence in the National Assembly.It's acknowledged that as political parties, the views of these females depended on the discipline of their parties, and they had been expected to support the position of the party on the issue (Bari, 2006).

Political Parties and Women Participation
Women participation into politics is the most dynamic issue of current era.However, very less literature is available upon the women participation into politics of Pakistan.The primary reason behind this phenomenon is the point that females continue to remain in danger of hatred, sexual violence, forced marriages, malice, cruelty and injustice, regardless of quality education, the transformation of the conservative era into modernization and escalating the streamers of gender equality.It doesn't make any difference whether females of the East or maybe of the West are the fate of females.Places change, values change, culture and traditions, but what never changes is the actions of the community towards females.In Pakistan, females continue to be under the influence of boys.In Pakistani society, males also can control the sentiments of females.Women are treated as slaves, obeying the hegemonic commands of their husbands without their assent.Although broadcasting is a good way to raise awareness in a society, the Pakistani social media projects a terrible image of females by manipulating their status to silence their voice.In commercial trade, the bad image of the female have been found, that creates the negative image in a society, to attract the interest of clients (Shamas, 2020).

Women are Considered Men's Property
In this study researcher discuss about some claims that women are subordinate to men.From birth they are considered a burden on the family and are deprived of their own identity.Women are considered as "commodity" as she must move from the house of one man (father) to another (husband).Women faced restrictions on mobilization, and activities.A woman cannot take an initiative by herself.It is perceived that women are holding honor of men.Since females have been considered the home of males, Pakistani females are clearly influenced by rigid and traditional dogmas, where they're at the mercy of males.The vani is possibly most critical practice in Pakistan in which females are handed over to other family members without their will to compensate for a murder of the comprehensive opposite party.This age -old practice is a fantastic debate in Pakistani society, particularly in the Pathan tribe, in which females are handed over as animals in a fast-moving market in a fixed price.The Law of jungles is used primarily in a society to control females.Lack of education in Third World countries as Pakistan is causing massive problems for females.This may be fixed by recognizing equal rights for nearly all individuals with no gender differences.
The researcher analyzed in his study exactly the way education has been gendered by the male dominated society of the Baloch tribes in which females aren't permitted to pick up an education, though it's their fundamental right.A gender -based education view is reviewed by the researcher as one type of female subjugation.Based on the researcher, Baloch folks consider themselves brave and callous, but females are considered a week creation.They impose their will on their wives and daughters and do not allow them to get a great education.If females are kept under the soles of their shoes, they are not likely to have the ability to supply them with any type of education or empowerment.Such female gender and suppression bias can be observed in different areas of Baluchistan, Pakistan.This idea mainly exists in Pakistan and India in the political and economic circles of the South Asian countries (Aditi, 2006).

MATHODOLOGY Method and Procedure
To obtain a clear understanding of the possibilities for critically analyzing female's participation in the politics of Pakistan (2013 to 2018), a mixed methodology approach was used.Study is the systematic practice of getting answers to specific questions, like what, why or how.Research is a systematically formulated method for the compilation of information and after that to make a potential solution to relevant research questions (Gass and Mackey, 2005).Data has been collected and analyzed.In the following paragraphs we are going to give additional details in this regard.

Survey Instruments
In order to solicit research questions and obtain public opinion on the topics developed for appropriate info and data collection relating to my research plan, I'd proposed an extensive survey study to highlight the critical analysis of "Women participation in politics of Pakistan (2013Pakistan ( to 2018))."After data collection in questionnaire forms, it was converted into numerical form for the planning of table and implication analysis with the help of Microsoft excel.For this purpose, we've converted our data to numerical forms as: the study to meet up with the research objectives.It was an open survey for politically literate folks who understand, Respondents, Basic Sources Opinion: And, the additional primary and secondary sources of data collection Books, Reports and journals, magazines, Print media electronic media and social media.Following the collection of figures and facts, the following techniques for statistical data have been used.Quantitative data was statistically analyzed using Microsoft Excel, and qualitative data was analyzed using qualitative data analysis techniques.

Population
The population of this study consists of all the residents of Pakistan more specifically that are involved in political activities related to "women participation in politics of Pakistan: challenges and opportunities (2013 to 2018)".Due to the bulk of population of whole country it was difficult to include everyone in the research data.Furthermore, data collection from such a large population was nothing except wastage of resources and time overwhelming due to pandemic covid-19 situation in Pakistan.Thus, it's crucial that sampling techniques may be used for a genuine representation of the target population.Data have been tabulated in this regard.Following the collection of figures and facts, the following techniques for statistical data have been used.Quantitative data was statistically analyzed using SPSS, and qualitative data was analyzed using qualitative data analysis techniques.

FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
The discussion reveals that political women face serious situations such as sexual harassment in the course of their work.Such attitudes lead to social stigma in an Islamic state like Pakistan and often Silence is created to avoid possible scandal.Such issues are reported so that women's political careers may be jeopardized.However, there is a weakness in the relationship between the candidates.Because of which their lives may be in danger, they have adopted a political strategy to deal with people who save them from potential dangers.
Differs from analysis the thing is that political women have a distinct identity in the politics of their gender and the difference between this political party and the parliament is clear and another powerful aspect of this is that men have very little experience working with women politicians.Therefore, their politics can be seen in the same context, which is often inappropriate and reflects social norms.Politics is traditionally a male-dominated thing that has a distinct identity in politics and there is no difference from political parties to parliament and another powerful aspect of this is that men have a lot of experience working with women Is less.
Therefore, in their imagination, the rules of the female society appear to be in accordance with the law.In the same way, their politics can also be viewed from the same perspective, which is often inappropriate.The experience of women's exclusion reflects economic, cultural and social norms that reinforce gender segregation.Due to gender differences, Hua Tin is urged to adhere to her traditions especially within this hostile environment, as a common consequence of participation, work within your limits.However, the dominant power is in politics.High power is used by political and professional people because political dominance in this power is related to the enhancement of social skills and the immovable behavior of individuality according to research in various characteristics and the people who have it want any women's organization.It is a political and charitable organization that has its own interests in terms of threatening behavior and vigilance.
As the study claims, the lack of women's empowerment in the organizational structure reinforces the fact that sexual harassment and discrimination and gender segregation are even ridiculed in the Assembly.He is ridiculed by his party members, but his efforts to pass resolutions against the insulting behavior he has endured by rival parties cannot be ignored.
According to the example of Shirin Mazari TV Momin, she herself seems to be negating feminist ideas at the height of her masculine personality traits and her success is in fact a cultural threat to the men around her party because of being a woman.At the same time, arrogance is like men.After the victory of Shirin Mazari in the 2018 elections, she was not given any post based on his merits but as made the head of human rights which has the official status of a failing sector (Ali Cheema, 2019).Ayesha Galilei's case was also part of the debate in which sexual harassment was discussed.Ayesha Galilei named her culprit in public and made allegations against him but she could not provide evidence as her family was told by her.There were dangers because the culprit was powerful.A political leader with leadership skills was made insignificant before the election and also removed from the accountability process.The party and other activists did not attach much importance to this incident.Which strengthened a minority outgrown group of women?There were also men or party workers whose status was very special.They harassed women like a pressure group and forced them to resign, sell tickets and quit political activities.Even if the party did not have the support of women.I can't stop men from having a monopoly on politics.In short, men.The one who has faced social evil and the one who has shown the most fear is the one who talks about it.
In such a situation, political parties should consider changing their organizational culture so that women can be given a political place in politics according to their abilities and problems like harassment can be prevented and working for accountability leads to injustice and This is where the corruption comes from.In order to facilitate the work of gender inequality and gender roles, their scope must be made dignified and empowered for them.They could not be eliminated; they can be reduced by making reforms.Encourage women's political participation so that they too can play a role in decision making and problem solving so that they can be made a problem Political parties increase party resources for women politicians to empower women in decision making Properly lobby so that they can be encouraged in politics and to bring women into politics, these women have become role models who are capable but avoid sexual harassment and restrictions.