WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN PAKISTANI POLITICS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES (2022-2024)

Abstract

This study highlights the challenges and opportunities to women’s political representation in Pakistan during 2022-2024. Using feminist political perspective as theoretical lenses we asked women political activists about the challenges and opportunities they faced during the mentioned period. Primary and secondary data were collected for this study using interview guide and document method of data collection respectively. Primary data were analyzed through thematic analysis techniques while secondary data were analyzed through qualitative document analysis method. The study revealed some challenges women faced to their political representation, such as structural barriers, cultural and social challenges, security and harassment, economic constraints, and media base. The study also found legal and policy shifts, role of civil society, technological empowerment, and success stories as opportunities for women’s political representation. The study suggests legal and political reforms alongside public awareness campaigns to improve women’s political representation in Pakistan.