March Issue 2005

Pakistan’s dynastic and feudal politics has been a major stumbling block in a woman’s march to the corridors of power. Women have been systematically kept out of the political arena. Just as they face discrimination in other spheres of life, politically too, their ability to contest elections is viewed with skepticism. The handful who managed to win the polls on general seats owed their success to their illustrious, politically well-entrenched families, whose constituencies backed them to the hilt.

The phenomenal increase in the number of reserved seats for women in the Senate and the assemblies in the present set-up is a positive step. But does their presence herald any change in the status of women or is it just a numbers game?

Newsline talks to some women parliamentarians to determine whether their representation is for real.