Intersectional Barriers In Pakistan: Of Politics, Identity And Women's Marginalisation
Source: The Friday Times
Throughout its history, Pakistan has grappled with enduring patriarchal norms and cultural customs that confine women to the domestic sphere, obstructing their engagement in broader societal roles. These malpractices have translated into systemic impediments that create a challenging environment for women seeking to enter the political arena. These experiences are further exacerbated based on their identities, amplifying the challenges women face in their pursuit of political participation in Pakistan. This complexity is particularly pronounced for marginalised minority women, as their intersectional identities, encompassing race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and other factors, intersect to create distinct and often compounded challenges.
The intersectionality of these identities not only influences the issues that resonate with them but also shapes the barriers they face in political participation. The lack of diverse representation in political offices becomes a hindrance, as the unique concerns and perspectives of minority women may be overlooked in policy-making processes. The experiences of women in politics are shaped by the intricate ways their identities are perceived. The challenges faced by Baloch, Hindu, and religious minority women underscore the necessity of understanding and addressing these complexities to pave the way for inclusive political representation.
Women from marginalised backgrounds, such as women of colour, race, ethnicity, minority religions and marginalised classes experience unique challenges due to the intersections of their identities, leading to compounded barriers and exclusion. Cultural norms also play a pivotal role, as they intersect with gender to reinforce barriers to women's political participation. Conservative cultural expectations restrict women's mobility and public engagement, limiting their access to political spaces.
Read here the full article published by The Friday Times on 23 September 2024.
Image credits: The Friday Times
Throughout its history, Pakistan has grappled with enduring patriarchal norms and cultural customs that confine women to the domestic sphere, obstructing their engagement in broader societal roles. These malpractices have translated into systemic impediments that create a challenging environment for women seeking to enter the political arena. These experiences are further exacerbated based on their identities, amplifying the challenges women face in their pursuit of political participation in Pakistan. This complexity is particularly pronounced for marginalised minority women, as their intersectional identities, encompassing race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and other factors, intersect to create distinct and often compounded challenges.
The intersectionality of these identities not only influences the issues that resonate with them but also shapes the barriers they face in political participation. The lack of diverse representation in political offices becomes a hindrance, as the unique concerns and perspectives of minority women may be overlooked in policy-making processes. The experiences of women in politics are shaped by the intricate ways their identities are perceived. The challenges faced by Baloch, Hindu, and religious minority women underscore the necessity of understanding and addressing these complexities to pave the way for inclusive political representation.
Women from marginalised backgrounds, such as women of colour, race, ethnicity, minority religions and marginalised classes experience unique challenges due to the intersections of their identities, leading to compounded barriers and exclusion. Cultural norms also play a pivotal role, as they intersect with gender to reinforce barriers to women's political participation. Conservative cultural expectations restrict women's mobility and public engagement, limiting their access to political spaces.
Read here the full article published by The Friday Times on 23 September 2024.
Image credits: The Friday Times