Reserved seats for women in Pakistan: Reinforcement of patriarchy and powerlessness (2002–2018)

Abstract

This study examines the extent to which a significant increase in the number of women in Pakistan translated into substantive representation for women. Based on elite interviews, this study finds a positive correlation between women's descriptive and substantive representation in women parliamentarians' proactive participation, regardless of their party affiliation, resulting in the passage of eleven bills against the gender discriminatory practices in Pakistan. The affirmative action, however, has failed to bring any positive changes in the gender essentialist perception of women in politics. The study attributes the widening gender disparity in constituency politics to the authoritarian, elitist and dynastic political culture in Pakistan and concludes by highlighting the role of mothers in challenging the gender essentialist stereotypes in homes, and the importance of ‘sensitizing men and engaging them in a dialogue’ to redefine the narrative around women. Equally important, however, is the restructuring of political parties along democratic lines by promoting meritocracy and transparency.