In the sprawling landscapes of Balochistan, where rugged mountains meet vast deserts, the political arena has long been an echo chamber dominated by male voices. In the shadow of this patriarchal stronghold, women have waged a resilient battle, attempting to shatter the invisible but formidable glass ceiling that has hindered their political ascent.
At the forefront of this struggle stands Sana Durrani, a charismatic politician from the historic city of Quetta. Her tenacious dedication to championing women's rights, especially their right to franchise in Balochistan's politics for over a decade, underscores the complexities and challenges faced by women in this diverse province.
Durrani says the Election Act 2017 was a step in the right direction. The law mandated the minimum percentage of tickets that parties must allocate to women, aiming to address the issue of under-representation. However, the effectiveness of the law lies in its implementation. While there are reserved seats for women, the struggle to secure positions in general seats remains a considerable challenge. The mindset shift needed to fully embrace women in politics is a journey that requires sustained effort from all quarters.
“There has been progress, albeit gradual. With each passing year, I see more women expressing an interest in politics, which is a positive sign. The emergence of role models and the tireless efforts of women who have paved the way contribute to changing perceptions. However, the journey to achieving true gender equality in politics is an ongoing one.”
A numbers game
In the cold realm of statistics, the narrative of women's under-representation in Balochistan's politics becomes glaringly evident. Data from the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) unveils a stark truth – in 2013, a mere 50 women were nominated for the National Assembly, a figure that dwindled further to 36 in 2018.
These numbers are not just abstract figures; they embody the systemic challenges that women in Balochistan grapple with to make their mark in the political landscape.
My journey in Balochistan's politics has been both rewarding and challenging. I entered this arena with a deep-seated belief in the need for women's voices to be heard in decision-making processes. From community activism to stepping into the political spotlight, the path has been arduous yet fulfilling - Baloch politician Yasmeen Lehri
Alauddin Khilji, the Regional Director of the Aurat Foundation, has raised his voice against this stark gender imbalance. He boldly demands the suspension of elections in constituencies where the turnout of women voters falls below 30%.
Khilji advocates for a transformative increase in the proportion of reserved seats for women across federal and provincial assemblies, pushing for a minimum of 33%. His stance aligns with Section 206 of the Election Act 2017, urging a significant boost in the limit of tickets assigned to women on general seats, from a mere 5% to a robust maximum of 15%.
Legal Mandates and the Pledge of Implementation
The Election Act 2017 is a legal framework poised to reshape the contours of political gender dynamics in Balochistan. Section 206 of the law stands as a formidable mandate, obligating political parties to allocate a minimum of 5% of all tickets to women.
A spokesperson for the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) echoes this commitment, assuring every conceivable effort to ensure the implementation of the Election Act 2017. Non-compliance from political entities is not just frowned upon; it is met with the weight of legal repercussions.
With all the complexities she has faced while navigating the male-dominated political terrain in Balochistan, Yasmeen Lehri is determined to continue furthering the cause of women in the province's politics. She has contested elections and confronted the entrenched norms that have long kept women at bay in politics.
"My journey in Balochistan's politics has been both rewarding and challenging. I entered this arena with a deep-seated belief in the need for women's voices to be heard in decision-making processes. From community activism to stepping into the political spotlight, the path has been arduous yet fulfilling," Yasmeen Lehri said.
Lehri explained that the challenges she has faced are multi-fold. Firstly, there is a lack of support from political parties. While the Election Act 2017 mandates a certain percentage of tickets for women, the practical implementation of this part of the law is far from ideal. Often, female candidates are not given the same resources or backing as their male counterparts. This lack of support hampers their ability to run effective campaigns, Lehri said.
"One striking example was during a public forum where I was the only female candidate. The questions directed at me were often about my personal life, family, and how I intended to manage politics alongside traditional responsibilities. Male candidates seldom face such scrutiny," she said, adding, "It is disheartening that despite being recognised as a candidate, the focus shifts to gender-related stereotypes rather than my political agenda."
Yasmeen Lehri's account offers a glimpse into the intricate web of challenges faced by female politicians in Balochistan. The lack of support from political parties, societal resistance to change, and deeply ingrained gender stereotypes form a formidable barrier. The journey towards breaking the glass ceiling is not merely a political one; it is a societal transformation that requires collective efforts to dismantle traditional norms and pave the way for a more inclusive political landscape.
Beyond numbers: Fostering inclusivity
Women's representation in Balochistan's politics transcends mere statistics. It is about dismantling the structural barriers that hinder their active participation. Creating an environment where women can partake in political processes without the looming spectre of discrimination or harassment is paramount.
The stories of these women have led to the emergence of Raheela Durrani - the first woman speaker of the Balochistan Assembly, and Shakeela Naveed, a former MPA on a reserved seat, who embodies the spirit of defiance
Acknowledging the indispensable role of women in politics for a nation's holistic development, the clarion call is to break the glass ceiling, providing women the opportunity to engage in politics on an equal footing with their male counterparts.
Balochistan's gender equality and women's empowerment policy
In the grand tapestry of change, a recent stroke of the governmental brush comes in the form of the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Policy for the years 2020-2024. This ambitious policy endeavours to propagate gender equality across diverse sectors, with a keen eye on politics.
While commendable in its vision, the efficacy of this policy lies not merely in its proclamation but in the translation of its principles into tangible opportunities for women navigating the political labyrinth.
Before the likes of Durrani and Lehri, however, a few women chose to challenge the status quo and help illuminate a path for all those who were to follow. Fazila Alyani was the first female minister to be elected to the Balochistan Assembly all the way back in 1972. She was a torchbearer, lighting the way for generations of women who would follow. Similar is the triumph of Zubaida Jalal, the first woman from Balochistan's impoverished Kech District to secure a seat in the National Assembly. It speaks volumes about women's gradual but persistent progress.
The stories of these women have led to the emergence of Raheela Durrani - the first woman speaker of the Balochistan Assembly, and Shakeela Naveed, a former MPA on a reserved seat, who embodies the spirit of defiance.
Their journeys are tales of breaking norms and carving spaces for themselves in the political narrative of Balochistan, where some shadows continue to linger. They remind us that the journey is far from over, and women in Balochistan still find themselves marginalised in political spaces, facing a landscape where progress remains slow and uneven. It is in these shadows that the call for change echoes, propelled by the stories of those who dared to defy societal norms.
Balochistan's journey towards gender inclusivity in politics is not just a policy mandate or legal obligation but a cultural transformation. It is a narrative that needs to be etched not only in laws and policies but in the hearts and minds of every Balochi.