Long believed to be one of the most conservative areas of the country concerning women’s rights and frequent reports of local deals which deny women their right to franchise, women, donning their traditional veils, came out in large numbers and cast their votes. In none of the 16 constituencies where elections were held on Saturday, did the ratio of women fall below the 10 per cent threshold set in the Election Act of 2017.
In fact, there has been an air of encouragement for women voters. Prior to the elections, all candidates contesting in the elections came together and in a joint charter of demands called on the top poll body to ensure a greater number of polling stations for women rather than set up combined or mixed-gender polling stations so that women can come out and vote while respecting the traditions and customs of the areas.
The only place where women received less support was when they were directly competing for seats. Two women who were contesting on general seats on tickets from two mainstream parties, the Awami National Party and the Jamaat-e-Islami, both fared poorly with the candidate of the former receiving only 194 votes and that of the latter receiving a mere 17 votes.
It is encouraging to note that women in these areas are not as held back as had been the case in the past.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 23rd, 2019.
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