A Closer Look towards Indigenous, tribal & Shadow cast Women’s Political Participation in Pakistan.

In the context of Pakistan, women’s political participation has gradually progressed, characterised by notable advancements and enduring challenges. National policies, international commitments, and grassroots activism have collectively aimed to improve women’s roles in governance and policymaking. However, for women from Indigenous or tribal communities—among the most marginalised groups—specific and targeted efforts are essential. To enable these women to engage actively in political life, systemic reforms must address both immediate barriers and the entrenched structural inequities that perpetuate their exclusion. Including Indigenous women & shadow cast in the political framework is not merely about safeguarding their rights; it is also a pivotal step toward enriching the democratic process by integrating diverse voices. In this regard, political education has proven to be a cornerstone of empowerment. Equipping women with the knowledge and tools to navigate complex political landscapes has enabled them to claim their rightful space in decision-making processes. The ripple effects of this empowerment are visible in the increasing participation of women leaders in community forums, local governance, and policy discussions.

On the other hand, the political participation of some excluded and deprived sections of the society, such as, indigenous, tribal and shadocast women in Pakistan is both a deeply underexplored area and a critical issue in the broader struggle for gender equality and inclusivity. Indigenous women, particularly those from marginalized ethnic, shadocast, and tribal communities such as the Brohi, Baloch, lower cast sindhi, Pashtun, and Saraiki, Bahari, Mahgwar, Kachi, Bheel, Kohli communities face unique and layered challenges that hinder their ability to participate fully in political processes. These challenges arise from structural inequalities, cultural barriers, and historical exclusion from mainstream political and social systems.

Indigenous, tribal and shadow cast women in Pakistan often experience a dual marginalization—first as women in a patriarchal society, and second as members of Indigenous communities that are already politically and economically sidelined. This intersectionality limits their access to education, resources, and decision-making platforms necessary for political engagement. In many Indigenous communities, traditional norms restrict women’s public participation, confining them to domestic roles. These norms discourage women from taking leadership roles or engaging in political activism, further reinforcing gendered and cultural barriers.

Indigenous & shadow cast women are grossly underrepresented in Pakistan’s political institutions. While reserved seats in parliament and local councils aim to boost women’s participation, Indigenous women rarely benefit from these provisions. Mainstream political parties often overlook them during candidate selection, preferring individuals from more dominant ethnic groups.
The matter of fact that women’s political participation is essential for achieving gender equality and inclusive governance in Pakistan and the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) has served as a transformative framework for advancing women’s political participation in Pakistan, by promoting legislative reforms, encouraging grassroots engagement, and fostering leadership, it has laid the groundwork for a more inclusive political landscape. While significant challenges persist, the BPfA’s vision continues to inspire efforts to break barriers and empower women to shape Pakistan’s future. Achieving true gender equality in political representation will require sustained commitment from the government, political parties, civil society, and communities—ensuring that women not only occupy seats at the table but also have the power to lead and influence decision-making processes. While reserved seats and grassroots advocacy have opened doors, the journey toward genuine representation and influence requires sustained efforts to dismantle cultural and systemic barriers. By investing in women’s political empowerment, Pakistan can create a more equitable and inclusive society where women’s voices shape the future of governance.

Grassroots advocacy has played a pivotal role in mobilizing women for political participation. Civil society organizations, including women’s rights groups and NGOs, work to:
• Train women leaders: Programs focus on building leadership skills and educating women on their political rights.

• Raise awareness: Campaigns encourage women to vote and participate in political processes, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
• Advocate for reforms: Activists push for more inclusive policies within political parties and government institutions.

Organizations like the Shelter Participatory Organization (SPO) and Aurat Foundation have been instrumental in empowering women at the community level, fostering their participation in local governance and decision-making bodies.

To fully realize the transformative potential of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) in Pakistan, it is imperative to address systemic and cultural barriers through sustained and strategic efforts. One crucial step is enhancing electoral reforms to support women who contest general seats. This can be achieved by providing financial assistance, implementing robust security measures, and offering capacity-building programs to empower female candidates. Additionally, mainstreaming gender within political parties is essential. Policies must be enacted to ensure women have equitable representation in party leadership roles and are prioritized in candidate selection processes.

Strengthening local government structures also holds immense potential for increasing women’s participation at the grassroots level. This requires ensuring the effective implementation of quotas in local councils to provide women with meaningful opportunities to engage in governance. Furthermore, investing in awareness campaigns can play a pivotal role in challenging patriarchal norms and mobilizing communities to support women’s active involvement in public life, whether by voting, running for office, or taking on leadership roles.

Finally, creating safe spaces for women politicians is critical to fostering an environment where they can actively and confidently participate in politics. Addressing security concerns and providing protection against harassment will enable more women to overcome barriers and contribute to the political landscape without fear. Through these comprehensive efforts, Pakistan can build a more inclusive and equitable political system aligned with the vision of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA).

Though rare, there are instances of Indigenous women overcoming barriers to assume leadership roles in Pakistan. These trailblazers often emerge through activism, particularly on issues related to land rights, environmental justice, and education. However, their contributions remain largely unrecognized in mainstream political discourse, highlighting the need for greater visibility and acknowledgment, barriers through sustained efforts, including enhancing electoral reforms increase support for women contesting general seats through financial assistance, security measures, and capacity-building programs. Alongside, mainstreaming gender in political parties by implementing policies to ensure women’s equitable representation in party leadership and candidate selection processes. strengthening local government so that women’s participation at the grassroots level by ensuring the effective implementation of quotas in local councils. Investing in awareness campaigns such as mobilize communities to challenge patriarchal norms and encourage women to vote, run for office, and engage in public life, also creating safe spaces for women politicians and address security concerns and provide protection against harassment to enable women’s active participation in politics.

For Indigenous & shadow cast women in Pakistan to become active participants in political life, systemic changes are necessary. This includes not only addressing the immediate barriers they face but also dismantling the structural inequities that perpetuate their exclusion. Integrating Indigenous women into the political framework will not only uphold their rights but also enrich the democratic process by ensuring diverse perspectives in governance. Their inclusion is essential for building a more equitable and representative political landscape in Pakistan.

About Samreen Khan Ghauri:

She serves as Executive Director of social development institution Shelter Participatory Organization (SPO) and leading advocate of women rights from local to global spectrum, SBCC (Social Behavior Change Communication) specialist, founding member of various enterprise and social initiatives, climate activist from the heart of indigenes community of Indus civilization at Hyderabad, Pakistan. She can be reach at samreenkghauri@gmail.com