Women political activists have called for protection of women from harassment and facilitation of their voting to bolster their participation in the democratic process.
They called for ensuring that women’s rights are a priority area for the manifestoes of all political parties.
The activists from different parties participated in a training on leadership, women’s participation, mapping of the political situation, communicating as a leader, networking, alliance-building and the culture of democracy.
The demands for substantial women’s representation in the political process leading to the coming general elections included effective implementation of their quota in party structures, including decision-making bodies and candidate nominations.
The parties were urged to mandate comprehensive training programmes for women members in leadership skills, political strategies and issue-based advocacy.
The activists said both political parties and the Election Commission should ensure strict anti-harassment policies not only within organisations but also in the digital spaces to create a safe and inclusive environment for women to actively participate in the political process.
They called for public awareness campaigns to promote the importance of women's political participation and challenge stereotypes, fostering a supportive public opinion.
Allocation of sufficient funds to support women candidates during election campaigns for addressing financial barriers that hindered their active involvement was also urged.
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The activists called for transparent, merit-based selection criteria and processes for nomination of women on reserved seats.
The government should ensure 33 per cent representation of women in local governments, they added.
The ECP was urged to ensure Implementation of measures to enhance the accessibility of polling stations, taking into consideration the needs and challenges faced by women, including those in rural and remote areas.
Both the parties and the ECP were urged to ensure developing and disseminating gender-sensitive voter education programmes to inform women about their rights, the importance of voting and the electoral process.
Government shall ensure and implement enhanced security measures around polling stations to ensure the safety of women voters and candidates, especially in areas prone to political violence or where women are barred to vote.
The activists demanded that the commission ensure transparent reporting and publication of gender-disaggregated data related to the electoral processes, providing insights into the women's participation at every stage.
Speaking to the media while releasing the charter of demands, women’s rights activists said the 2018 elections had witnessed an increased focus on women’s political participation with higher female voter turnout in much of the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2023.
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