When Justin Trudeau’s government took office, one of the Prime Minister’s messages overseas was “Canada’s back,” which referred to Canada’s…
When Justin Trudeau’s government took office, one of the Prime Minister’s messages overseas was “Canada’s back,” which referred to Canada’s…
When Justin Trudeau’s government took office, one of the Prime Minister’s messages overseas was “Canada’s back,” which referred to Canada’s…
Politics in Pakistan has long been considered a male-dominated sphere, despite women comprising nearly half of the population. Globally, women hold only about a quarter of political positions, and in Pakistan, their representation within party decision-making structures is even more limited.
While quotas have helped increase the number of women in parliament, their voices within party leadership remain minimal. Women’s divisions within parties are often inactive and guided by male-dominated agendas, leaving women sidelined from the very spaces where key decisions are made. Addressing this political inequality, which sits at the root of many other gender gaps, is therefore critical.
This Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) project aims to foster a more gender-equitable political environment by advocating for increased representation of women in party leadership and in decision-making. Through research, policy briefs, and media advocacy, it will highlight the barriers women face and propose concrete reforms to strengthen their roles.
Knowledge-sharing platforms such as consultations, workshops, and partnerships with parliamentarians, civil society, and women’s rights bodies will help build consensus. The ultimate vision is to secure legislative change that institutionalises women’s voices within political parties, paving the way for more gender inclusive governance in Pakistan.

