WOMEN’S POLITICAL REPRESENTATION IN PAKISTAN’S GENERAL ELECTIONS (1947–2024): A BRIEF ANALYSIS

Abstract

Women’s political representation is a critical indicator of democratic inclusiveness and gender equality. In Pakistan, where women constitute nearly half of the population, their participation in electoral politics has historically been constrained by patriarchal structures, weak party support, and limited access to resources. Since independence in 1947, women have participated both as electoral candidates and through reserved seats, yet their success on general seats has remained minimal. Reserved quotas for women were included in all three constitutions of Pakistan 1956, 1962, and 1973 though with varying numbers and percentages of seats. The most significant expansion of seats occurred in 2002 under General Pervez Musharraf, when reserved seats in the National Assembly were raised to 60, increasing women’s share to over 20%. The review was conducted through the collection of secondary data, primarily from the official records of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), journal publications, newspaper articles and conference papers constitutional documents, parliamentary archives and government reports, to trace electoral trends from 1947 to 2024. The findings show that although the number of women contesting elections has steadily risen, their success rate on general seats remains very low. While reserved quotas have enhanced women’s visibility in legislatures, long-term gender parity requires reforms within political parties, financial and institutional support for women candidates, and broader cultural transformation to dismantle structural barriers.

Keywords: Women’s Political Representation, Pakistan, Historical Review, National Assembly, Provincial Assemblies