Pakistani Women Still Struggle For A Voice In Politics

[struggle4progress]

by Julie McCarthy
May 09, 2013 4:35 PM

One of the few women competing in Pakistan's parliamentary election on Saturday is Naz Baloch, 33, a first-time candidate. She's the daughter of a politician, but is running for a different party than her father ...

Naz says the lack of security is a powerful disincentive for women entering politics. She is one of only five women in her party who have been given tickets to contest the election for the National Assembly. She says Pakistani women generally are not empowered and that Benazir Bhutto was the exception.

"There are women who do not have the right to vote. It's a very male-dominated society. They do not allow their wives, daughters, their sisters to even step out and vote," she says. "I'm trying to convince the men of this society you should respect women and let them come out for their rights."

Naz's party ignites passion among Pakistani youth, tapping into an antipathy toward the traditional parties. Supporter Mushtaq Yousufzai is enraged at the lack of clean water, electricity and gas ...

http://www.npr.org/2013/05/09/182647662/pakistani-women-still-struggling-for-a-voice-in-politics