Assemblies and female lawyers in Pakistan:
Where the mode of filling in
these seats is concerned, there has been a difference of opinion even among the
main political parties. While various methods have existed over different
periods of Pakistan's history, the last mode for filling in reserved seats in
the NA and PA of Inquiry for Women and female lawyers in Pakistan was through
elections, the PML(N) suggested doubling of the number of seats to 40 and
possible methods for doing so. The first was that of direct elections to these
seated in direct election by members of the respective no after the 1009y
members of the respective houses. The second was of “ugh proportional
representation, on the basis of the number of votes received by each party. The
indirect method of election for women's reserved seats and female
lawyers in Pakistan has not proved to be beneficial. It does not lend
credibility to women representatives, since they remain dependent on and
accountable to the primarily male legislatures, instead or being genuine
influential of the electorate. There is also a perception that nominations are
rarely made on the proven track record of the women party workers. And although
a number of them played a role in initiating and participating in debates on
women's rights issues, there is a further perception that their role has not
been sufficiently effective.
Coming of Women and Female Lawyers in Pakistan in the Political System:
Coming of women and female
lawyers in Pakistan in the political system has to be the ultimate objective of
any method is to be adopted for filling in women's reserved seats. As such, the
system should be geared towards bringing in capable women who can play an
effective role in the House, just as it should return capable candidates
through the general electoral system. The proportional electoral system, which
involves the advance publication of a list of candidates who would come in on
the basis of priority after the party's share has been calculated, is one which
has been discussed at different levels as a method which might increase
opportunities for women’s representation. However, it may not be an immediately
feasible system in a largely illiterate society with insufficient political
education and experience.
Independent Candidates Who Still Comprise a Significant Proportion:
Moreover, it creates no space for
independent candidates who still comprise a significant proportion of
candidates and representatives in the country. Yet another issue discussed is
whether women representatives should be brought in through the vote of women
alone, or both men and women. Being elected by just women may make the
representatives feel more obliged to address women's issues, but it may also
narrow their focus to just that. If they are voted in by both, they would still
recognize their obligation to address women’s and female lawyers in Pakistan concerns
since they have been brought in on women's reserved seats, but would also find
it necessary to inquire into and address other issues since their electorate
would comprise both men and women. The latter system appears to be more
conducive to the political mainstreaming of women, and also in line with the
principle of doing away with separate electorates in any form.
Electorate for Voting in Women:
The electorate for voting in
women representatives should, therefore ideally be a joint electorate of men
and women, both Muslim and non-Muslim Thus, the basic principles for ensuring
effective representation of women through reserving seats for them emerges
through these various discussions: the system should be geared towards
mainstreaming women, the quantum of reservation should be at least 33%, the
system of election could be direct and constituency-related, and there should
be a joint electorate, A few possible modalities which fulfill these
requirements have been briefly discussed below, with their respective
advantages and disadvantages.