Gender and Local Governance in Pakistan

Abstract

Local government in Pakistan had a new beginning under General Pervez Musharraf. A new Local Government Ordinance, introduced in 2001, provided for reserving 33% of seats for women in all three tiers of local government, i.e., District, Tehsil and Union Councils through an affirmative action. The response of rural women to the government plan to associate them in the local governing process was quite positive. A review of the performance of women councillors at the end of the first term of Devolution of Power Plan 2001 revealed that women performed their roles and responsibilities considerably well by making their mark, creating an enabling environment in institutions and paving ways for fellow women members of their communities for their contribution. The chapter also tries to identify areas where councillors faced difficulties and suggested a positive intervention policy to overcome them.

No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you. We are victims of evil customs. It is crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners. There is no sanction anywhere for the deplorable condition in which our women have to live.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Father of the Nation (Speech at a meeting of the Muslim University Union, Aligarh, March 10, 1944).