Abstract
In Pakistan, women are believed to be politically inactive due to social, structural, and institutional constraints. The present study analyzed as to how women’s social class and workforce engagement influence their political participation. A survey was carried from a sample of 250 women from Renala Khurd, District Okara. Interview schedule was used as a tool of data collection. The findings of this study indicated varying educational attainments of two-third respondents, while nearly a little less than one-fourth women were not literate. Women’s educational attainment was significantly associated with their political participation. This is an important finding which underscores the need to enhance female literacy for their political participation. A large proportion of women rated them in middle class. A tiny proportion of women hailed from upper class. A significant proportion of women reported lower class. This is understandable that most of the people rate their class as middle class whenever selfreported criterion is used for one’s class. The findings of this study showed that socio-economic and cultural constraints did affect the political participation of respondents. Illiteracy and ignorance turned out major impediment in political participation. Illiteracy and lack of skills constrained women labor force participation, in turn their political behavior and participation. Alternatively, educational attainment and workforce participation was significantly related with political behavior of women. Women who were more engaged in work force were highly aware of the importance of politics and they participated in politics. However, regardless of their work status, women generally faced challenges in participating in politics and political process. Findings of this research underscore the need of policy level interventions to enhance women political participation to ensure healthy democracy in Pakistan.
Keyword(s)
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