Women constitute almost half of the world population but are discriminated in various spheres of

life specifically politics and are more subjected to problems because of gendered and patriarchic
social structure. The fact is evident that women are among the vulnerable segment in society.
They are marginalized and underrepresented in politics. Women's participation in politics has
transformed significantly over the past century, marking a significant step towards achieving
gender equality. However, despite progress, women's representation in political leadership
positions remains unequal and underrepresented globally.

Women representation globally

As at 1 January 2024, A staggering 113 countries worldwide have never had a woman serve as
Head of State or Government and only 26 countries are led by a woman as of today a modest
increase from just 18 countries a decade ago. Women represent 23.3 per cent of Cabinet
members heading Ministries in 2024—a less than 0.5 percentage point increase from 2023. only
23 per cent of Ministerial positions are held by women and in 141 countries women make up less
than a third of Cabinet ministers. Seven countries have no women represented in their Cabinets
at all.

The importance of women's political participation

Women's political participation is vital for the development of inclusive and democratic
societies. It brings diverse perspectives and experiences to policymaking processes, contributing
to more equitable and effective decision-making. Furthermore, women's political participation
challenges existing power structures and women's political engagement also challenges current
power structures and promotes gender equality. By breaking the traditional gender roles, women
inspire others and contribute to changing societal norms and perceptions of women's leadership
capabilities. Women in politics serve as role models, encouraging other women and girls to
pursue political careers and take an active role in shaping their societies. t ensures that the
democratic process is not just a formality but a genuine platform for different voices to be heard
and considered. In a politically diverse environment, policies and decisions are the result of
robust debates and the reconciliation of various viewpoints, leading to more balanced and well-
considered outcomes. diversity and inclusion in government results in an increase in political
efficacy. The inclusion of women in political processes is a key element in achieving a truly
inclusive democracy, and women must have the chance to exercise their political rights and
participate in all political decision-making. Furthermore, political diversity fosters empathy and
understanding among elected officials, promoting collaborative approaches to problem-solving
that can address complex societal issues. Young women, in particular, bring unique viewpoints
and solutions to the table, contributing to more holistic and inclusive policies.

Steps taken :

Women are entitled to enjoy the same human rights and fundamental freedoms as other
individuals. International human rights treaties require State parties to take proactive
steps to ensure that women’s human rights are respected by law and to eliminate
discrimination, inequalities, and practices that negatively affect women’s rights. As a
particularly vulnerable group, women have special status and protection within the United
Nations and regional human rights systems. International human rights treaties prohibit
discrimination on the basis of gender and also require States to ensure the protection and
realization of women’s rights in all areas

The United Nations (UN) Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
(CEDAW) is the most comprehensive treaty on the rights of women. It condemns any form
of discrimination against women and reaffirms the importance of guaranteeing equal
political, economic, social, cultural and civil rights to women regardless of their marital
status

In 2023, the EU launched the Women and Youth in Democracy Initiative (WYDE) to
strengthen the rights, empowerment and participation of women and youth in public and
political life. It has components on advancing women's political participation, supporting
feminist organizations, and enhancing synergies between women's movements and decision
makers.
UNDP has programs advancing women's political participation globally, with a focus on
areas like women's participation in elections, parliaments, civic life, public administration,
peacebuilding and politics/media.

Barriers to women's political participation

Despite the progress made, women continue to encounter several obstacles that prevent
them from fully and equally participating in politics. Deeply ingrained patriarchal
conventions, gender stereotypes, and cultural prejudices frequently impede women's
political participation. Discriminatory practices, such as unequal access to education and
limited financial resources, create additional challenges for women seeking political office.
Structural barriers within political systems also contribute to the women who have a low
representation in politics. Party institutions dominated by men, oriented candidate
selection processes, and inadequate support networks make it more difficulties to women
for achieving party nominations and political triumphs.

Developed and developing:

The concept of women role and status vary in Pakistan (Shah, 1989) but there is consensus that
their access to services and political empowerment is restricted (UNICEP, 1988: 69). Women in
Pakistan have always been considered as second class citizens because of socio-cultural,
economic and legal obstacles. Although half of the Pakistani population consists of women folk
but their political empowerment is not encouraging. It is a fact that any efforts or programs taken
for the uplift of society would be futile without women’s representation and empowerment. As
argued by Saiyid (2001) that women’s deprivation in regard of socio-legal rights would be the
failure of state and government.

Pakistan’s constitution makes no distinction between genders but women in parliament know
that’s not the reality in politics. Despite impressive records of women in the legislative assembly,
female parliamentarians still face barriers to entry that their male colleagues don’t -- keeping
many women, save for a few with family members in politics, out of these positions.

The current makeup of Pakistan’s parliament is only 21 percent female. In the National
Assembly, which consists of 342 members, female representation is only around 3 percent if
reserved seats are excluded; There are 60 seats reserved for women. These numbers are
emblematic of a male-dominated political culture which -- along with other socio-economic
factors -- creates a glass ceiling for women’s political advancement.

Big names like Fatima Jinnah, Benazir Bhutto and the Kulsoom Nawaz helped establish a strong
foundation for the acceptance of female leaders in Pakistan, but there are still obstacles for
women who want to participate in public politics. Legislative reforms have tried to address these
problems of representation, but progress has come in fits and starts.

From 1977 to 2008, the percentage of women in parliament increased gradually after advances
for women put in place by the administration of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Under former president
Pervez Musharraf, the assemblies reserved 60 seats for women, prompting an encouraging uptick
in the number of women candidates elected. The Election Act of 2017 criminalized any effort to
hinder women’s participation in elections. The act also required political parties to have a
minimum of 5 percent of their candidates contesting for general seats be women.

One year after the act passed, Pakistan saw a record-breaking number of women candidates run
for seats in the National Assembly. However, only eight out of 183 women contestants won.
That same year, all mainstream political parties kept close to the minimum percentage of female
candidates, while almost half of Pakistan’s political parties did not field any female candidates.
Many women candidates were given tickets in constituencies where the party had little or no
chance of winning. Some of these candidates did not partake in formal campaigns for elections in
these areas.