Role of Women in Parliament

LEAP-Pakistan has started a new series of seminars, conferences and interviews called PCL TALKS. This will help the students gain valuable expert knowledge and will broaden their horizon. In addition, it provides them with a platform to connect with pioneers in various fields such as Law, Politics, Governance and Academia and open up vistas for their career development.

In December, LEAP-Pakistan hosted its first PCL Panel Talk. The panel consisted of Ms Shaheen Atiq-ur-Rehman, Ms. Zainab Umair and Ms. Bushra Anjum Butt who enlightened the students about the ‘Role of Women Parliamentarians’.

Studies systematically show that women in parliament in the modern era are underrepresented in most countries worldwide.  As of December 2018, the global participation rate of women in national level politics is 24.1%. While more women are being elected to parliaments around the world, equality is still a long way off, and current progress is far too slow. Most parliaments are still heavily male dominated while some have no women representation at all. However, very few countries are an exception such as Rwanda where the women’s participation in parliament is greater than men. 

As far as Pakistan is concerned, the 2018 general election marked the appointment to office of the highest number of female legislators. Women Parliamentarians moved 39 out of 74 bills and 27 out of 100 resolutions. Unfortunately, even though when women get elected, they face major challenges. These include societal challenges such as gender inequality, stereotyping and patriarchal mindset about roles of women. It is often difficult for women to combat the general patriarchal systems and as a result their interests are often not represented or are misrepresented. Secondly, they may face systematic challenges which include not getting a role to play in key areas such as important posts within a parliament. Thirdly, women running for parliament often face an unwanted strict scrutiny over their personal lives such as the clothes they wear or how they interact with men. Family duties also cause hindrance in aspiring women’s political careers. 

The panel discussed the current issues faced by them in parliament and gave alternate solutions to them. In addition, the moderator, Ms. Mehak Zaraq Bari, Deputy Director of LEAP-Pakistan, asked them various questions regarding their political life and struggle to make a change and here’s how they responded —

Q- What are the major changes that women parliamentarian’s feel have happened in the assembly culture in the last decade?

A- Women wing is an integral component of the assembly and completes the quorum. The elected male members often see women as inferior and do not take them seriously, but their increased presence has changed the assembly culture. The concept of nepotism is slowly fading away as educated women are now being elected based on their mandate and efforts to make a change. Although, the quota of women in parliament is still small, yet there has been an increase in number of women in parliament as 2018 general elections marked the highest number of elected females in parliament. Moreover, there is acceptance from the male dominated assembly — something unknown earlier. Since women on reserved seats have no constituency unlike male members, they have ample of time to collaborate with various NGO’s to conduct research on the ongoing issues in the society. A major change has been the introduction of ‘women caucus’ that addresses issues faced at large by women specifically. Certain issues are solved across party and are not politicized, and this marks a huge achievement.

Q- What is the process for young women to get into politics and how can they get more engaged in it?

A- Before entering politics, it is important to note that it will have ups and down, certainly more downfalls. Students should also read more about politics such as the Political Parties Act. Firstly, one must understand that politics is not a profession but a spirit of bringing a change and nothing is guaranteed in it. It should not be thought as a career but an opportunity. One must join a political party first since it will give them decorum and enhance their discipline. The actual reality of change starts at the grassroots such as the local government. Secondly, if one gets this opportunity then she should make the most out of it and use this platform to bring a change. In order to get into politics, one must be consistent and determined. 

Q- What are the major impediments faced by women in parliament?

A- Women face the same problems in parliament like the ones in corporate sector. Women are often seen as inferior by male members. Their role in legislation is constrained by men generally who try to silence their voice. They are often not given important posts such as parliamentary secretaries due to their gender and the general perception of them as ‘incompetent’ by the male members. In addition, one major challenge faced by women is from other women who victimize them on moral basis such as scandalizing, insecurity about their progress etc. The political atmosphere is also sometimes toxic as members often forget to behave with others and throw taunts at other members. Since parliament is a powerhouse and if one gets elected then it is up to her to either side with drama or bring a real change. When it comes to being a victim of external and internal pressures from the men, knowledge and experience helps women to overcome those. Therefore, women must play a strong character and portray themselves as brave. Similarly, when women portray themselves as bold and speak from knowledge, male members and other female colleagues start taking them seriously. 

Q- What can be done to increase women participation in legislation or policy making ? 

A- Women are very few from local government at the ground level to provincial assembly and to national assembly on the top. There should be an increase in the number of women if there is to be a greater participation of women in law making. Male members are still reluctant to give women powerful seats and minister ship in key areas and work with them on the same level. Certain changes are made which are a proof to women empowerment such as 66 female members in the parliament and the fact every election marks an increase of women parliamentarians than the earlier election. 

Q- It is generalized that most women in Pakistan do not have the right to marry who they want to. So, the question arises that if men cannot support women in their households, how can one expect them to support women in parliament?

A- Pakistan is one country where there has been a lot of legislation done but the problem lies in its implementation. Media and society in general have corrupted the minds of the youth and have never promoted women’s efforts to bring a change, leaving behind a bad impression of them. The real change will take place once these legislations are properly implemented and there is acceptance from the society. In order to bring a change, it is imperative for one to start bringing change from them followed by their household. Another major problem is adopting negativity and staying in a state of despair. Real change is time consuming and one cannot expect others to change when they themselves are willing to stay the same. The media must start spreading positivity and show the real face of women in parliament. When the society will see that women are in reality bringing a progressive change at all levels, there will be more acceptances, and this will further uplift them in the society as a whole. 

The panel talk was concluded with a short Q/A session where students got the opportunity to interact with the panelists and address their concerns and queries. Shields were given to the respected speakers as a token of appreciation by the Dean, Sir Humayoun Ihsan and Principal, Prof. Tasneem Kausar.

SPEAKER PROFILES

Ms Shaheen Atiq-ur-Rehman was awarded Communes Medal in 1998 by UNESCO in Paris for getting international recognition for her work in literary; Presidential Award Aziza-e-Fazilat by the Government of Pakistan. She served as a Lady Councilor, L.M.C. and remained Member of Provincial Council during 1985. She was a Member Provincial Assembly from 1985-88 and also served as Minister for Social Welfare and Women’s Development during that period. She returned to Punjab Assembly in 2002 on a reserved seat. She is currently the Executive Director of Bunyad.

Ms Zainab Umair obtained her LLB degree from Punjab University and practiced law with Cornelius, Lane and Mufti for more than a decade. She has attended various national and international conferences. She has previously taught the subject Property Law with a special focus on Intellectual Property at PCL. She is currently a Member Provincial Assembly under PTI on a reserved seat. She is also a part of Special Committee No.2, Law (Chairperson), Member of Gender Mainstreaming (Women Development) and Population Welfare Committee. 

Ms Bushra Butt obtained her Masters in Arts from Kinnaird University, Lahore in 2009. She has also taught at LUMS. She first got elected as Member Provincial Assembly in 2013 as a PML-N candidate and again in 2018 on a reserved seat.