Women’s Political Participation in South Asia: A Case Study of Pakistan
Pakistan serves as a key case study in understanding women’s political participation in South Asia, where progress coexists with persistent challenges. This study examines how institutional mechanisms, historical developments, and community norms influence women's political engagement in Pakistan. The implementation of constitutional protections and legislative quotas for special seats has enabled women's legal entry into politics, yet structural obstacles such as sexism, religious orthodoxy, educational constraints, and financial limitations still hinder their full participation. The political inclusion of women in Pakistan demonstrates the dual effect of social oppression and public empowerment, as the country witnesses growing female representation but often confines their political activity to gender-specific issues and relegates them to ceremonial positions. This study reviews election data alongside policy programs and political party functions to assess women's influence in policymaking and political decisions. The research emphasizes the need for comprehensive political empowerment for women in Pakistan and South Asia.
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Gender Representation, Political Employment, Reserved Seats, Patriarchy, Electoral Participation, Political Parties, Gender Equality
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(1) Zainab
M. Phil. Scholar, Department of International Relations, Government College University Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
(2) Imran Wakil
Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, Government College University Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
(3) Anwar Ali
Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Government College University Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
Cite this article
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APA : Zainab., Wakil, I., & Ali, A. (2025). Women’s Political Participation in South Asia: A Case Study of Pakistan. Global Political Review, X(I), 175-185. https://doi.org/10.31703/gpr.2025(X-I).14
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CHICAGO : Zainab, , Imran Wakil, and Anwar Ali. 2025. "Women’s Political Participation in South Asia: A Case Study of Pakistan." Global Political Review, X (I): 175-185 doi: 10.31703/gpr.2025(X-I).14
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HARVARD : ZAINAB., WAKIL, I. & ALI, A. 2025. Women’s Political Participation in South Asia: A Case Study of Pakistan. Global Political Review, X, 175-185.
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MHRA : Zainab, , Imran Wakil, and Anwar Ali. 2025. "Women’s Political Participation in South Asia: A Case Study of Pakistan." Global Political Review, X: 175-185
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MLA : Zainab, , Imran Wakil, and Anwar Ali. "Women’s Political Participation in South Asia: A Case Study of Pakistan." Global Political Review, X.I (2025): 175-185 Print.
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OXFORD : Zainab, , Wakil, Imran, and Ali, Anwar (2025), "Women’s Political Participation in South Asia: A Case Study of Pakistan", Global Political Review, X (I), 175-185
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TURABIAN : Zainab, , Imran Wakil, and Anwar Ali. "Women’s Political Participation in South Asia: A Case Study of Pakistan." Global Political Review X, no. I (2025): 175-185. https://doi.org/10.31703/gpr.2025(X-I).14