Women’s Participation in Politics: A Case Study of Balochistan

Women’s Participation in Politics: A Case Study of Balochistan

This research examines the issue of women's participation in politics in Balochistan, with a focus on the barriers and challenges they face in actively engaging in political affairs. Balochistan, a province in Pakistan, presents a unique case where women's participation in politics is significantly lower compared to other democratic states. Despite constitutional guarantees of equal rights and opportunities for women, their representation in political decision-making processes remains marginal. This study investigates the factors contributing to this under-representation, including illiteracy, traditional and patriarchal societal norms, cultural barriers, economic dependency, and the male-dominated structure of political parties. The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing interviews and oral testimonies with key stakeholders, including female members of the Provincial Assembly, social activists, lawyers, councilors, and women organization administrators. Thematic analysis of the collected data reveals a lack of political activism among women and limited efforts by political parties to promote women's empowerment. The study recommends a multifaceted approach to address these challenges, including educational reforms, legal protections against discrimination, political reforms such as increasing reserved seats and promoting merit-based selection, social and cultural transformation through awareness campaigns, and economic empowerment of women. The findings of this research contribute to the existing body of knowledge on women's political participation and provide insights and recommendations to enhance women's empowerment and foster a more inclusive and democratic political environment in Balochistan.