Sham Participation

Pakistan's current government has inducted the highest number of women at the federal, provincial and local level of government since independence. But still women in Pakistan do not have any real political power, says Shehar Bano Khan

The women of Pakistan have come a long way, and have a longer way to go. Struggling for independence within an independent country might have a familiar acoustic tenor for every woman world over who feels her rights remain 'colonised' despite winning territorial freedom. A Pakistani woman feels no different. She feels the transfer of power from British imperialism has shifted to state colonization. For her freedom has yet to come.

Many amongst the government circle would disagree, rushing to pinpoint the quantum leap to empowerment of women engendered by the president, General Pervez Musharraf.

Begum Mehnaz Rafi, an MNA (Member of the National Assembly), Lower House of the parliament, selected on a reserved seat by the ruling party, the PML(Q) Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid), applauds the government for inducting the highest number of women at the federal, provincial and local level of government since independence.

"We have the highest number of women in the parliament and a huge number is serving at the local government level. President Musharraf withstood opposition from the religious groups when the Women Protection Bill was passed last year, which provides women protection against the false charges of adultery," extols Ms Rafi.

Complex system of proportional representation

An analytical comparison of women in politics in the last six decades will definitely shed a positive light on the Musharraf government, at least in terms of numbers. But why should a numerical historical analysis sanctify the 'awarding' of rights to women if their vote weighs the same as the man's?

At the moment the 342-seat National Assembly has 73 female members, out of whom 60 have been inducted through a complex system of proportional representation, 12 on general seats and 18 are elected to the Senate (the Upper House). Technically women have made a quantitative leap which should not be confused with qualitative inclusion in governance.

They have been 'granted' 17 per cent seats at the federal and provincial levels and 33 per cent at the local government, but that does not imply they are on the same footing as their male counterparts. They are repeatedly reminded that their freedoms are endowments given to them by the present government.

"Women are not ready to go for direct elections right now. Reserving 60 seats for them is a good starting point because fighting on a general seat costs a lot. Women need to be taken slowly through the process of political participation," comments Ms Mehnaz Rafi.

Selection process marred with irregularities

Most women awarded tickets for the 2002 general elections by political parties belong to the feudal or the upper middle class. A UNDP (United Nations Development Fund) report published in 2004 highlighted the anomalies present in the selection of women.

The report cited that, "the gender perspective and track record of nominees were not the determining factors and selection process was marred with irregularities and nepotism."

Ms Samina Gurki, an MNA and wife of an influential politician from Lahore, acknowledges the constant guidance of her husband to steer her through politics. "My biggest guidance comes from my husband. He was always by my side in the elections to lend support," says Ms Gurki, verifying the findings of the UNDP-2004 report on the handing down of tickets for general elections to feudals and the influential only.

The recently released list by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), a constitutional body entrusted with the duty to organize and conduct elections, for the upcoming general elections excluded 38 million people from their right to vote. In the previous elections held in 2002, 71.86 million people were registered as voters, but this year the ECP has issued a list of only 56 million eligible voters.

Women disenfranchised

Many local non-government organizations claim that the majority excluded from the list is women. The Sungi Development Foundation and the Strengthening Participatory Organisation in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan, nearly 59 per cent of women have been denied their voting rights as a result of the ECP's current voters' list.

In other provinces of the country, 53.5 per cent women voters are not registered, in Punjab 48 per cent have not been given the right to vote and in the restive province of Baloachistan 24 per cent women have been disenfranchised. Taking swift action at people missing from the voters' list the Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the ECP to revise its list.

These politically disenfranchised women might as well not exist for the state because not only do they not have any right to vote, but they are also without a National Identity Number. How do these "non-existent" women feel? Are they politically and socially conscious of their rights?

"What has anyone done for us?"

"It's alright for the rich to talk about politics. We can't afford to think about Benazir Bhutto or General Musharraf. What has anyone done for us? I don't care whether I have the right to vote or not. What matters to me is to be able to feed my five children, have clean drinking water, to be able to go to a hospital and not think about money and have a house to live in. I don't want any National Identity Card! Give me food and a job," exclaims Razia, a 35-year-old widow with five children.

Many like Razia are far removed from the political chicanery and could care less about the forthcoming elections. Their lives have not been touched by enfranchisement or disenfranchisement. Surrounded by rubble and refuse, Razia along with 20 other families lives away from the sophisticated urbanity of Lahore where politics is a rich person's pastime.

"The only time I'll make an effort to get myself registered as a voter is when someone from amongst us is given a chance to contest. Why should I vote for those rich politicians who don't even know we exist?" pledges Razia's neighbour, Sughra.

Fair enough on Sughra's part of wanting someone with whom she can associate. But, by a modest estimate it will take five or more decades for Sughra to exercise her right to vote. Pakistani politics is structured to suit the elite, serve the feudals, empower the military and enslave the populace.

Shehar Bano Khan

This article was first published in the Swiss daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung.

Shehar Bano Khan is a Pakistani journalist.

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