PESHAWAR: In the lead-up to Pakistan’s general elections on Thursday, a concerning reality emerges regarding the inadequate prioritization of women’s representation within political parties.
According to the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), which monitors polls in the country, out of a total of 6,037 candidates competing for general seats nationwide, only 275 are women, reflecting a mere 4.6 percent participation rate in the elections. This falls below the legal requirement of a minimum five percent representation mandated by Section 206 of the Elections Act, 2017, extending to elective offices, including seats in the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and Provincial Assemblies.
FAFEN’s report exposes that out of 111 political parties, only 30 have met or surpassed the required five percent representation of women candidates. Another four parties hover close, with percentages ranging between 4.50 and 4.99. However, a significant majority of parties, numbering 77, have failed to even meet the minimum 4.50 percent threshold, indicating a systemic disregard for women’s participation.
This gender disparity is glaring across various elective bodies. For instance, in the National Assembly, where 94 parties have fielded candidates, only 92 women are among the total 1,872 candidates, constituting a mere 4.91 percent. Similarly, the Punjab Assembly records a dismal 3.09 percent representation of women, with only 58 female candidates out of 1,878.
While the Sindh Assembly shows slightly better representation at 6.22 percent, with 59 women among 948 candidates, the figures in Balochistan are alarmingly low, with only 19 women contesting out of the total candidates, amounting to a mere 3.56 percent.
Despite these concerning statistics, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) stands out as a leading province in terms of women’s representation. With 5.83 percent of the total, KP sees 47 women candidates out of 806 contesting for the provincial assembly, representing 44 parties. This indicates a positive trend towards gender inclusivity in the region’s political landscape.
However, the issue of non-compliance with the mandatory quota for women candidates has spurred legal action, with a petition filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking accountability from political parties. Spearheaded by the Aurat Foundation, the petition highlights stark disparities among parties, with only a few, such as PML-N and MQM-P, adhering to the mandated five-percent quota for women candidates on general seats.
As Pakistan braces for its upcoming elections, the stark gap in women’s representation remains a critical challenge, emphasizing the pressing need for systemic reforms to ensure equitable political participation for all citizens.
