Women Development1

Issues and Approaches in Pakistan’s Politics

he impression of “equality and individuality” is

T fully acknowledged by Islam for both men and

women. In this perspective, there are no such
customs, traditions, and laws that prohibit women
from social and economic activities.2 The constitution
Women Economic Opportunities
For economic development and national solidarity, it
is considered necessary to encourage women
workforce to contribute in the society. Likewise,
of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan also ensures the creating employment opportunities for women help
fundamental rights of human regardless of any them improve their personal and family’s financial
discrimination on the basis of gender.3 Additionally, stability. Almost all parties have discussed their
in the global arena, a welfare state discourages all kind strategies on the subject with a particular focus. Issues
of discrimination against women. Nevertheless, social discussed under various heads talk about greater
& economic disparities exist in Pakistan.4 Deep- economic opportunities, political participation, safety,
rooted socio-cultural barriers and lack of willingness education, and health etc. Table.1 highlights the
by governments have kept a large number of women salient points of manifestos related to employment
away from enjoying their right of education, health opportunities and an enabling working environment
facilities and economic wellbeing. The objective of for women in both formal and informal sectors.
this study is to systematically review and present the
roadmaps given by parties on women development.
Table.1 Women Economic Opportunities:
Quotas for women to ensure equal access to employment opportunity in all sectors. (PTI.
Pg.23) (ANP. Pg.7)
Employment Special job quota for women of at least 25 %, for the terrorism-affected districts. (ANP.
and working pg.8)
conditions Equal opportunities for education and employment. (ANP. pg.8)
Employment Guarantee Schemes for the rural women. (PTI. pg.27)
Internship Guarantee Programs for women. (PPP. pg.21)

1
This brief is part pf a larger study being conducted at IPS to understand the national mood in light of the approach of various
Political Parties, participating in the elections 2018, on subjects of important issues related to the National Agenda. The
political parties included in this review are: Pakistan Muslim League (N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan People’s
Party (PPP), Awami national Party, (ANP), Mutahidda Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) and Mutahidda Qaomi Movement (MQM)
2
Anis Ahmad. Women Social Justice. Islamabad: Institute of Policy studies and The Islamic Foundation, 1996.
3
The Constitution of Pakistan:
Article 25A: Equality of Citizen; (1) All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law. (2) There
shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex. (3) Nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from making any special
provision for the protection of women and children.
Article35: Protection of Family; the state shall protect the marriage, the family, the mother and the child.
4
Pakistan Bureau of statistic, Population census 2017.
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 Training to the new ventures and increase women industrial home. (PPP. pg.15) (MQM.
pg.15)
Job security during and after pregnancy. (PPP. pg.36)
Social welfare schemes such as paternal leaves to encourage women to work. (PML-N.
pg.55)
Daycare centers in all Government offices to ensure women-friendly work environment.
(ANP. pg.8)
Residential and caretaking facilities for working women in urban settings (PTI. pg.23)
Payment of minimum wages in all sectors and eradication of the gender-based wage gap.
(ANP. pg.8) (PML-N. pg.55)
The institutional mechanism within SECP to promote women’s’ presence in the corporate
sector (PPP. pg.37)

Capital is considered lifeblood for business activities. support to the small enterprises along with special
Lack of funds lower the chances of business survival. measures to promote women businesses. Table.2
To encourage women entrepreneurs, parties have shows how parties are committing finance
included ideas to provide technical and financial availability.

Table.2 Financial Assistance

Increasing state-provided micro-finance available to women. (PTI. pg.23)
Providing equity to First Women Bank to ensure women have adequate access to credit PPP.
pg.39)
Providing women with access to credit facilities to promote entrepreneurship. (PML-N.
pg.55)
Financial and Credit and insurance facility for women through “Benazir Kissan Card” and First Women
Technical Bank. (PPP. pg.25&37)
support Interest-free loans to be given to the women of Sindh province. (PPP. pg.15)
Promoting cottage industries for economic progress. (MMA. pg.9)
Providing technical and financial support to women. (ANP. pg.7&8)
Incentives for women to run businesses through the women’s chambers. (ANP. pg.8)
Establishing Women’s Business Councils to support their businesses and also initiate special
employment programme. (PPP. pg.37)

The well-being of the society is greatly dependent on them necessities of life under special schemes and
social welfare. In the context of women programs. Table.3 highlights social welfare
development, parties have committed to enhance programs for women.
social standards of living for women and provide

Table.3 Social Welfare of Women.

Updating and improving the database and design of BISP and increase its amount to 2000
Rupees per beneficiary. (PPP. pg.14)
Connecting women with the market economy as entrepreneurs under “Bhook Mitao Program”.
(PPP. pg.6)
Launch “Benazir Women Agriculture Workers Programme” under Zari Inqilab strategy. (PPP.
pg.25)
Welfare Increasing the resources and capacity of Dar-ul-Aman/Shelter homes. (PTI. pg.23) (MQM.
Programs pg.24)
/Policy Creating special funds for the widows of martyrs of terrorism. (ANP. pg.8)
Gender-sensitive budgeting. (PPP. pg.52)
Public awareness campaign on gender equality through education and media in rural and urban
areas. (MQM. pg.23) (ANP. pg.7)
Establishing forums at all levels for effective participation of youth and women in all national
and provincial matters relating to National Economic Planning, education, health, housing,
social welfare, environment and so on. (MQM. pg.6)

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Women Political Participation:
In Pakistan, the reserved seats have ensured women
presence in national and provincial assemblies. Some
new provisions in the Election Act 2017 bind every
political party to allocate at least five percent tickets
to women on general seats of national and provincial
assemblies whereas 10 percent of the total votes cast
on a certain seat by women has also been made a
condition under the election laws.5 All these measures
have encouraged a favorable environment for greater
participation of women in politics. The political
parties have promised to increase even more
opportunities for women political empowerment with
suggestions related to reserve seats for women in
assemblies and Senate, right to vote and
representation in various bodies etc. Table.4 reflects
the approach of political parties towards women
political participation.

Table.4 Women Political Participation:

Progressively increase reserved seats in the assemblies and Senate from 17% to 33%.
(PPP. pg.42) (ANP. pg.7)
Increase seats for religious minorities in the local government, national and provincial
assemblies with a minimum of 33 percent of the seats allocated for non-Muslim Women.
(ANP. pg.8)
Reserving 30% of the seats including 10% for women, in National Assembly and
Reserve Seats
Provincial Assembly for the educated youth within the age group of 25- 40 years.
(MQM. pg.5)
Merit-based transparent guidelines for the selection of women candidates on both general
and reserved seats. (PPP. pg.42)
Building consensus on direct elections for women to all elected positions, including on
reserved seats/quota. (ANP. pg.7)
Launching a women voter registration drive across Pakistan to ensure the opportunity for
women to exercise their right to vote and increase women’s participation in elections.
Right to Vote: (PTI. pg.23)
Prohibiting deals between local elders and political parties that bar women from
exercising their right to vote. (ANP. pg.8)
Strengthening the local government system to ensure maximum participation of women.
(ANP. pg.3)
Other measures Including more women in cabinet positions (PML-N. pg.55)
Encouraging women political participation and strengthen their role in elected bodies.
(PPP. pg.42)
Affirmative action for women to serve on all levels of government, judiciary and other
decision-making bodies in public sector institutions. (PPP. pg.39)
Including women politician in all standing committees of the Parliament. (PPP. pg.42)

Women Rights: a) Women Inheritance Right:

In order to build a peaceful society, it is essential to
safeguard the basic rights of citizens. SDG’s, also call
to ensure equal rights and opportunities for women in
all sphere of life by 2030. In this regard, all political
parties have stressed for progressive legislation and
implementation of women rights, though only a few
key issues have particularly been highlighted.
For a prospering society, safeguarding the mechanism
of property devolution is important.6 In Pakistan,
women are unfortunately deprived of their basic right
of inheritance.7 On this serious issue, major political
parties have raised concerns. They have assured the
protection of women inheritance right whereas under
specific or general statement, stressing on giving all
rights to women which are stated in the Quran and
Sunnah Table. 5 highlights the approach of political
parties towards the right of inheritance.

5
Election Commission of Pakistan: https://www.ecp.gov.pk/
6
Khalid Rahman, Nadeem Farhat. Legislation on women & Family in Pakistan. Pakistan: Institute of Policy Studies, 2014.
P. 159
7
Anis Ahmad. Women Social Justice. Islamabad: Institute of Policy studies and The Islamic Foundation, 1996. P. 107
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 Table.5 Women Right:
Strengthening legal framework to protect women’s inheritance rights to land and property.
(PTI. pg.23)
Immediate implementation of pro-woman laws related to inheritance. (PPP. pg.52)
Inheritance
Effective implementation of existing laws on women’s right to inheritance. (ANP. pg.8)
Right
Employ widespread campaigns to educate women about their fundamental rights. (PML-N.
pg.55)
Let the women achieve all rights given in the Quran and Sunnah (MMA. pg.9)

b) Women Safety: against customary and traditional practices that

Women safety is a broader term, which includes safety
in social arena as well as at workplace, women
mobility, violence against women and minority
women rights etc.
In this regard, all parties have committed to ensuring
effective legislation and implementation of pro-
women laws. They have pledged to formulate policies
discriminate or violate women rights. The parties have
also expressed their devotion on legislative
framework that protects women against violence acts.
Some of them have also specifically promised to
provide secure mobility for women through protective
mass transportation scheme and legal aid to women as
a vulnerable group. Table.6 highlights the parties’
commitment to women safety issues.

Table.6 Women Safety:

Immediate legislation and implementation of pro-woman and anti-customary laws related to
honor killing, gang rape, acid burn victim, divorce, child marriage, marriage to the Holy
Quran Karo Kari, wata-sata, Vinee, sexual harassment, and violence. (PPP. pg.52) (MQM.
pg.23) (MMA. pg.9)
No support for any customs, traditions, law or act that discriminates against women and
violate their rights. (ANP. pg.8) (MQM. pg.23) (MMA. pg.9)
End child marriages and launch program against it. (PML-N. pg.55)
Measures Establish gender-based violence courts to provide additional protection and speedy
Against resolution to women victims. (PTI. pg.23)
Violence and Appointment of the special public prosecutor for perusing cases of violence. (PPP. pg.52)
un-Islamic Improve investigative and prosecutorial process for gender-based violence. (PTI. pg.23)
practices Expanding the scope of “Violence Against Women Centres” to allow complaint registration.
(PML-N. pg.55)
Establish anti-harassment cell to ensure the mental and physical well-being of women.
(PML-N. pg.55)
Establish functional crisis center for immediate legal and physiological support of women.
(PPP. pg.53)
Expand and improve the quality standards and security of welfare institutions for survivors
of Gender-based violence. (ANP. pg.7)
Improve mass transportation system with dedicated spaces and a safe and secure
environment for women. (ANP. pg.8)
Right of Initiate safe public transport schemes. (PML-N. pg.55)
Mobility Ensure all public and private offices, markets and shopping malls have separate functional
and clean toilets for women with provision for women with disabilities. (ANP. pg.8)
Establishment of sports complexes exclusive for women (MMA. pg.9)
Carry out an audit of existing federal and provincial women protection laws to identify the
gap. (PTI. pg.14)
Progressive legislation and implementation for women rights. (PPP. pg.52) (ANP. pg.7)
Supporting courts for the establishment of an institution to provide free legal aid to needy
Others litigants to vulnerable groups like women and minorities. (PTI. pg.14)
No support for extra judicial forums like traditional Jarga and Panchyat system. (ANP. pg.8)
Eliminating dowry and other un-Islamic practices and facilitating the marriage of girls and
boys belonging to poor families (MMA. pg.8)
Expanding and consolidating Women Rights Organizations in the districts. (ANP. pg.21)

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 c) Women safety and Police Reforms:
While discussing the women safety issue, almost all
parties have dedicatedly committed to police reforms
including increasing the number of women police
officers in the police station and establishing separate
women police stations for victims of violence. Table.7
covers the proposals related to police reforms in the
context of women safety.

Table.7 Women safety and Police Reforms

Establish women police stations and desks at all levels. (PTI. pg.13)
Encourage recruitment of women in the judicial system. (ANP. pg.8)
Increase representation of female police officers at police stations for reporting and
investigation of complaints/FIRs for gender-based crimes (PTI. pg.23) (PPP. pg.52)
Dignity and
Improve investigative and forensic procedures for sexual offense cases. (PTI. pg.23)
Safety of
Ensure the anonymity of sexual violence victims during investigations. (PML-N. pg.55)
female victims
Establish separate special juvenile detention centers and prisons for women. (PTI. pg.14)
and prisoners
Strict segregation of under trial convicts, women and juvenile prisoners. (ANP. pg.6)
Rehabilitation of women prisoners. (MQM. pg.25)
Ensure compensation to the brave widows and families of martyred police and their
children. (PPP. pg.50)

Women Education: In this regard, more or less all political parties have
committed to establishing new trends of education for
Education helps women in seizing maximum socio-
women in Pakistan. They have promised to increase
economic opportunities. In this era of advancement,
the number of primary and secondary schools for girls,
prospering society and developed human capital
building of separate institutions and sports complex
complement each other. Developed state policies
for women and also provide them stipends. Table 8
always reflect a strong agenda and plan of action for
presents parties promises on Education of women.
the progression of women education.

Table.8 Women Education8

Compulsory education for girls and their separate institutions at all levels. (MMA. pg.7)
Ensuring equitable excess to education for girls. (PML-N. pg.41)
Raise literacy levels especially for women by 25 percent. (ANP. pg.10)
Special programs for those regions/districts where women literacy rate is very low. (ANP.
Access to pg.12)
Education Upgradation of girls’ primary and secondary schools; providing a stipend to ensure education
service delivery and for the continuation of their education. (PTI. pg.23&45) (PPP. pg.19)
Upgradation of girls’ schools at the secondary level; launching nation-wide radio, television and
online self-learning programmes. (PTI. pg.45)
Separate colleges and universities for female students. (MMA. pg.9)
Hostel facilities will be made available for students and teachers especially to women, close to
the Universities’ campuses. (ANP. pg.10)
Increase the share of female faculty members in universities. (PML-N. pg.43)
Effective legislation and implementation of strict punitive measures against discouragement of
Others: female education. (MQM. pg.23)
Include lessons about gender equality, women, and girls’ rights in the curriculum. (ANP. pg.8)
Give preference to recruiting qualified women teachers at the primary school level. (ANP.
pg.11)
Separate sports complexes for women. (MMA. pg.9) (ANP. pg.19)

8
The subject of education has been extensively dealt in Parties’ manifestos and is part of a distinct IPS brief. This naturally
offers important proposals which are relevant to both female and male students. In this brief, only those proposals have been
included which specifically talk about women.
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Women Health:9
Health and nutrition is an essential indicator of
countries’ economic development and should be a
leading objective for every government. Post 18th
Amendment, health is now a provincial subject
though, Pakistan vision 2025 provides a roadmap to
strengthen the primary health care centers and to
expand the utilization of resources.
Promisingly, most of the political parties have
proposed better health care for mother and child.
Some of them have asserted to double the size of the
“Lady Health Worker Program”. Other proposals
include the introduction of initiatives like paternal
leaves to support women at work. Table 8 highlights
the approach of political parties towards health issues
of women.

Table.8 Women Health

Establishing a large-scale national “Maternal Health Programme” to provide assisted

births along with family health and planning information to women. (PTI. pg.23)
Ensuring health care of the child and maternal care. (PML-N. pg.47)
Launching “Mother Child support programs”. Which provide cash incentives,
healthcare, pro-nutrition etc. (PPP. pg.8,9)
Launching a campaign for the promotion of mother and child health and their
wellbeing. (ANP. pg.14)
Institutionalizing training of women health workers and birth attendants and linking
their services with the basic health units and mother and child health care centers.
Mother and Child
(ANP. pg.14)
Care
Increasing skilled birth attendants’ rate to 90%. (PML-N. pg.47)
Expansion of LHW programme and ensuring their services for every woman. (PPP.
pg.8) (PTI. pg.43)
Training nurses, lady health workers, midwives and other paramedical staff in every
district for effective service delivery. (MQM. pg.8) (PPP. pg.10)
Setting up district level institutions for nurses, male & female paramedics and health
technicians training linked to District Hospitals. (ANP. pg.13)
Scaling up Punjab’s rural ambulance system for pregnant women and rescue services
across Pakistan. (PML-N. pg.47)
Increasing maternity leave duration up to six months and a minimum leave period of
3 months. (PML-N. pg.55)
Introduce a policy for mandatory maternity and paternity leave in public and private
sectors. (ANP. pg.8)
Others Scaling family planning across the country. (PML-N. pg.55)
Integrating family planning services into all levels of health care. (PML-N. pg.47)
Ensuring reproductive health and family planning. (PPP. pg.10) (MQM. pg.7)
Legislation of reproductive health rights. (PPP. pg.10)
Initiate Baacha Khan healthcare packages and incentives for women. (ANP. pg.11)

Conclusion society, development of every individual — male and

Development is a concept and a process, which if
taken in isolation for a specific group, segment or area
may lead to new imbalances unless the process is part
of a comprehensive vision and scheme of life. Talking
about women development, from this perspective,
there could be two approaches. One: dealing the men
and women as individuals and the women
development subject as just another subject; or two:
considering that the family is the basic unit of the
female — should focus on strengthening this basic
unit which consequently would help the formation and
strengthening of a value-based, caring and sharing
society. Social, economic and political development
of women, in both cases, should be an essential agenda
yet there would be an underline difference in the two
approaches as they represent two different paradigms
of life.

9
Like education, health is also not a gender specific subject and therefore a number of suggestions given under health are
relevant to both men and women. Here we have included only those proposals which have been given with specific reference
to women
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The above review suggests that while all parties have
included a number of programs for women in their
manifestos, which is appreciable, they seldom have
regard to the question of paradigm under which they
will be planning their initiatives. If at all, there is any
reflection, it appears to be a reactive approach to
correct the prevailing imbalances in numbers of men
and women in different fields of life. This is obviously
not a comprehensive approach. An all-inclusive and
comprehensive approach would require a look into the
cause and effect relationship under an overall strategic
vision and necessary steps accordingly.
Thus, the agenda given by political parties, if
implemented fully, may lead to a greater number of
women in different positions, more education, sports
and health facilities as well as financial support and
relatively better working conditions, for an all-
inclusive growth a healthy dialogue on the paradigm
of development and consequent measures is a
necessary imperative among various stakeholders
while formulating policies and finalizing different
initiatives vis a vis women development.

Prepared by:
Ayesha Bibi
Research Trainee
Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad.

For queries:
Syed Nadeem Farhat
Senior Research Officer
nadeem@ips.net.pk | www.ips.org.pk

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