Women Role and Participation in the Politics of Punjab

Abstract

World population is 7.7 billion which is growing at rate of 1.07% per year. Regardless of slight increase or decrease in percentages of both genders almost half of world population consists of women. Despite this large number participation of women in political process and policy making is not at all satisfactory. Only 15% women have got representation in legislature. There are only twelve countries where women hold 33% or more seats in parliament. (UNDP Report, 2005).Pakistan is a federal parliamentary democratic republic. Country has diverse society with different cultural norms and social values. Condition of women is not much better than any other third world country. Punjab is the largest province of Pakistan according to population. Participation of women in political process is comparatively higher than the rest of provinces. Researcher wants to analyze the role of women in political process whether its policy making as a politician or beneficiary of policies as a voter. Our aim is to study the challenges and hurdles women face in male dominating society. The main purpose of writing this article is to derive the ways to reduce the hurdles common women face in political process.