Women Representation in National Assembly of Pakistan (1947-1999)

Abstract

The study provides an in-depth examination of Pakistan's parliamentary system from 1947 to 1999 in regard to women representation, tracing its evolution amidst pivotal milestones, challenges, and transformative shifts. The nation's founding principles emphasized women's rights and participation, yet their representation fluctuated due to various factors. Despite these challenges, women made significant strides, with notable figures paving the way. This study explores intersection of international influences and domestic evolution, benchmarking Pakistan's progress on women's political representation against global standards, to identify areas of strength and weakness and inform strategies for promoting greater gender equality and inclusive governance. The study was done by using the qualitative content analysis technique and concluded that only two females, Benazir and Nusrat Bhutto, were elected repeatedly on the general seats in all four elections of this time period. No any other female parliamentarian joined them continuously in the parliament and study highlighted the need of especially measures for female representation in the parliament.