by Yousaf Benjamin

Starting with the ballot box, women must boost their presence and become a force for change. However, male chauvinism and patriarchy hold them back. In a conference in Lahore, about 130 Christian women examine the problem and make proposals. Activist says women must be educated about their rights.

Lahore (AsiaNews) - A conference organised by the association for Social Harmony Awareness and Development (SHAAD) on Tuesday in Lahore focused on the topic "of women's participation in the electoral process". Pakistani women must play a more active role in society, starting with the basic and inalienable right to vote and to run for office. This should come as early as the next general election. The aim is to ensure that they are "part of the change" that Pakistani society desperately need, activist Gulnaz Yousaf told AsiaNews, and "Freedom of expression" is part of this change. About 130 Christian women from the settlement of Youhananabad attended the event.

"Usually, families prevent their women from exercising their right to vote," Yousaf said. For this reason, "it is important to educate women about their rights, and encourage them to exercise these rights." A political leadership and policies that are friendly towards women and their development are needed.

SHAAD executive director Younas Akhtar Tabassum said that Pakistan's 1973 constitution guarantees equal rights and freedoms to all its citizens, banning gender and ethnic-religious discrimination.

"This includes political participation and freedom of expression in the political process, both in terms of holding office and casting their ballot." However, "Women are under-registered in electoral rolls, face opposition when trying to vote, and are turned away from the polls," he explained.

Overall, the status of women has not improved in recent years. In 2007, women represented 30 per cent of all voters compared to 40 per cent in 2002.

Women's vote "can play a crucial role in an election's outcome," said Seemin Bokhari, from the Pakistan Tehreek Insaf party.

"Patriarchal values, a discriminatory law and inadequate policies" are to blame, SHAAD vice president Lillian Younas said, "because they discourage women's development". Even when women need an identity card, they "depend on male members of the family."

• pakistan
• rights
• women
• patriarchy
• development