Amjad Ishaque

Women Participation & Performance: Local Govt. System 2001-09 in Pakistan Amjad Ishaque

On 14th Agust 2000, President Parvez Musharf introduced Local Government System in Pakistan and named it "Devolution of Power Plan" through which women got 33% representation. it was a major revolution to empower the women at grass root level and bring them in main stream to decisions making process. This system continued from 2001_2009. Women representation in 2001 elections was 27% whereas in 2005 election, 77% woman participated, that mean with the passage of time woman inspired by this system. In total figure almost 40,000 woman participated in this system all over the country. Although woman could not play there effective role as a public representative due to male dominated society, lack of resources, lack of knowledge, corruption, sexual harassment and weak administration but with all its loopholes Local Government System was an excellent attempt to empower the masses, to create political consciousness , to acknowledge the share of women in decision making, to mitigate misery of laymen, to overhaul the bureaucratic structure, to trickle down the prosperity, to diminish the gender discrimination and to evolve a political culture.