Political Empowerment of Women in Punjab: A Case Study of General Elections 2013 And 2018

Abstract

Nearly half of the world’s population is women. Only 15% of women are represented in the legislature. Only 12 countries have women holding 33% or more of the seats in parliament (UNDP Report). Punjab is the most populous province in Pakistan. Compared with other provinces, women’s participation in the political process is relatively high. The main purpose of this research is to analyze in detail the changing nature of women's politics in the traditional society of Punjab, Pakistan in the last two general elections in 2013 and 2018.There was an increase in the number of women contesting for general seats in the 21st century, particularly in the 2013 and 2018 General Elections. Women play major roles as Speaker of the National Assembly, Deputy Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, a woman minister presenting the yearly budget, Ambassador, and so on. The single component of the general elections in 2013 and 2018, the story was refuted domestically and globally, that either women are hesitant to enter mainstream politics or are not taking on electoral politics obligations at the local, provincial, or national levels. Gender equality and women's political involvement, on the other hand, are still necessary internationally on the basis of equality with males. It will take time to transform the political structure of a society that follows centuries-old customs and patterns, as it does in Pakistan. However, the good aspect is that in Pakistan, the process of political reform in terms of women's participation in state activities has already begun