Women in politics in islamic states: A case study of Afghanistan and Pakistan

The present thesis aims to determine the actual states of women in politics of Afghanistan and Pakistan and find out the factors that effect on women's political participation and restrict the level of participation. This thesis emphasizes that the equal participation of men and women in governmental process and political affairs is essential for reaching to the free and fair society. Through findings of this thesis the success of democracy is directly dependent on the equality based on gender, ethnic, creed, religion and so on. The research context of this thesis goes to Islamic states and particularly analyzing the status of women in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The traditional culture, patriarchy, misinterpretation of religion founded as the main obstacles of women deprivation of politics within these two Islamic democratic states, that these factors causes for the emergence of gender based violence, discrimination, rape and idea of behaving with women as the second gender. This thesis goes to analyze and find out the different interpretation of Islam and democracy perspectives regarding to women social and political activities. Through this thesis we found out that the level of women's political participation had been raised after 2000 in both countries, reforms 2000 in Pakistan and coming of new democratic regime along with international support caused for women to be more empowered and active in politics and persuaded women to get apart in political and social affairs of these two societies. Analyzing of historical circumstances of women in both countries, helped this thesis to be more serious in finding the actual position of women in two traditional societies, that are mostly influenced of patriarchal culture in case of women. The share of women in politics had been raised, but only in numbers, while still women who are direct or indirect involved in political affairs or legislative organs experiencing a symbolic role with no authority of decision making. This thesis found out that the women are still used as a tool for having more power in government and more seats in legislative body of government in Pakistan, and for getting more support of international community by government in Afghanistan. Along with the above factors that helped women to be involved in politics, the legal contexts of both countries motivated women to be aware of their rights and participate in elections as voters and as candidate, but there have never been a fully protected atmosphere for women to compete with male candidate of the elections. The reasons that are found in this thesis again goes to the deep rooted traditional culture and misconception of Islam. The recommendation of this thesis for empowering the women for their equal rights goes to combat for annihilation of traditional culture and establishing the a theory along with democratic aspects.