BARRIERS TO WOMEN’S POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT IN PAKISTAN: A CASE STUDY OF CULTURAL, SOCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL OBSTACLES

Abstract

Women’s political engagement in Pakistan has witnessed gradual progress over the past few decades, yet cultural, social, and institutional barriers continue to undermine their active participation in governance and decision-making processes. Despite the introduction of constitutional guarantees, legislative quotas, and policy reforms aimed at enhancing female representation, entrenched patriarchal norms and restrictive cultural traditions limit women’s visibility in the political sphere. Social constraints, including family opposition, gender stereotypes, and limited access to education and resources, further marginalize women from electoral politics and leadership roles. Institutional obstacles, such as weak enforcement of gender-inclusive policies, lack of political party support, and structural inefficiencies in electoral systems, exacerbate these challenges. Recent academic literature, government reports, and international development studies highlight that while reserved seats in legislatures have provided women with a symbolic presence, substantive participation and influence remain constrained by systemic inequalities. This case study seeks to critically analyze these multi-dimensional barriers by examining both the formal structures of political institutions and the informal socio-cultural dynamics that shape women’s political opportunities. Drawing on contemporary scholarly works and recent government publications, the study underscores the need for comprehensive reforms, gender-sensitive political capacity-building, and societal change to foster meaningful female engagement. The analysis contributes to the broader discourse on gender and politics in South Asia, offering insights into how cultural, social, and institutional forces intersect to sustain gendered exclusion in Pakistan’s political landscape.