Women鈥檚 Political Participation in Pakistan鈥檚 Big Cities: Evidence for Reform
There is a much higher gender gap in each province鈥檚 largest metropolitan city compared to its remaining constituencies
Abstract
Why did 11 million fewer women than men vote in Pakistan鈥檚 2018 general elections? Contrary to conventional wisdom, there is a much higher gender gap in each province鈥檚 largest metropolitan city compared to its remaining constituencies. This gap relates to men鈥檚 views about women鈥檚 vote and women鈥檚 knowledge of politics and the electoral process. Poor knowledge is, in turn, associated with a low interest in politics, which links to the failure of political parties to directly engage women and address their issues. These challenges can be addressed with better targeted voter education campaigns and a concerted effort by political parties to engage women directly and reduce their perception of being 鈥榩olitically invisible鈥�.
This work is part of the Action for Empowerment and Accountability (A4EA) programme
Citation
Cheema, A.; Khan, S.; Liaqat, A.; Khan Mohmand, S. and Kuraishi, A. (2019) 鈥榃omen鈥檚 Political Participation in Pakistan鈥檚 Big Cities: Evidence for Reform鈥�, IDS Policy Briefing 166, Brighton: IDS