Women Participation in Parliament: A Case of Socio-Political Empowerment of Pakistani Women (2008-2018)

The Islamia University of Bahawalpur

Political Science

By: Muhammad Madni Asghar

Supervised By: Dr. Safdar Hussain

Academic Level: PhD

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Abstract

Parliament plays a crucial role in democracy as it serves as the legislative branch of government responsible for creating and passing laws. It is a platform for debate and discussion on key issues provides a voice for citizens through their elected representatives and serves as a central platform to empower women politically and socially. Moreover, parliament is an important institution for addressing women issues, as it can create policies and laws that protect women rights, promote gender equality, and hold the government accountable for implementing these measures. The Pakistani parliament can also play an important role in promoting women social and political empowerment by increasing their representation at decision-making levels, helping them to raise their voice, ensuring that their voices are heard, and their concerns are addressed as legislation for their protection is made in parliament. Parliament helps to create an environment where women can fully participate for development of society and country. When women are socially and politically empowered, they are better able to participate in both political and civic life, which leads to more inclusive and democratic societies. The core objective of this research study is to analyze the participation of women legislators in National Assembly of Pakistan from 2008 to 2018. A questionnaire tool was developed to collect primary data from women parliamentarian. Through in-depth interviews participants were asked to share their knowledge and experience about participation in parliament, opportunities they have, challenges faced by them and what social and political steps they suggest for women socio-political empowerment in Pakistan. Data was collected from a sample of 39-member parliament from 2008 to 2018 tenures. The sample was measured form simple random sampling from population of 212 women parliamentarians ensuring representation from general elected seats and reserved quota from all provinces and all political parties. Collected data was cleaned and analyzed by using MS Excell. Study findings were discussed in reference to secondary data. Study findings reveal that there is positive relation between women participation in parliament and their socio-political empowerment. There are suggestions including women participation at gross root level politics, decision making positions in party and parliament, positive role of media, collaboration among stakeholders and elimination of social barriers.

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On the direction of the Chairman Senate/President PIPS Board of Governors, the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), has implemented a comprehensive set of measures aimed at ensuring fiscal discipline, operational efficiency, and responsible utilization of public resources, on the same lines as notified and adopted by the Senate and National Assembly Secretariats.

Under the new measures, the Institute has adopted a four-day working week (Monday to Thursday), while introducing a hybrid working model whereby 50% of staff will perform duties from the office and 50% will work remotely on a rotational basis. Employees working from home will remain fully accessible through digital communication platforms and may be required to report to the office on short notice, ensuring uninterrupted institutional functioning.

Significant steps have also been taken to promote energy conservation. These include a target of achieving up to 70% reduction in energy consumption through minimizing unnecessary use of electricity and ensuring that official meetings, trainings, and events are scheduled during daylight hours. Foreign tours are banned and international meetings are being held virtually.

In the transport section, PIPS has introduced strict measures to curtail expenditure and 70% official vehicles have been grounded as part of this initiative.

As part of broader austerity efforts, 20% reduction has been imposed on the non-ERE budget for the fourth quarter of the current financial year. The officers drawing a monthly salary of PKR 300,000 or more, shall surrendered two days salary or 5% to 30% salary on gross as per Federal Government decision.

The Institute has also discontinued all non-essential procurements with immediate effect. Official functions such as dinners and receptions will not be hosted, except in the case of visiting foreign delegations, and even then, strictly in accordance with austerity protocols.

These measures have been implemented with immediate effect and will remain in force until further orders.

Under the guidance of President PIPS Board of Governors, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, PIPS remains fully committed to maintaining its core functions of parliamentary support, capacity building, and research while contributing proactively to national austerity and sustainability goals.