Challenges to Women's Participation in Electoral Politics in District Mardan

Abstract

This study examines the various obstacles that women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's District Mardan face when trying to participate in electoral politics. Women's political participation in the area is still low, despite constitutional protections and legislative efforts to advance gender equality. Traditional norms misinterpreted religious beliefs, low literacy rates, a lack of political consciousness, economic dependence, and the prevalence of patriarchal structures within political parties are some of the main obstacles identified by the study. The roles of women in the electoral process are further marginalized by systemic problems like limited mobility, intimidation, and token representation. Using secondary data analysis, the study shows that although there are legal frameworks to support women's political inclusion, it is still difficult to effectively implement them. This study examines the difficulties women encounter in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, District Mardan electoral politics. Notwithstanding notable progress in the direction of gender equality, KP women still face many obstacles that prevent them from actively engaging in electoral politics, especially in rural and conservative areas like Mardan. Women's political empowerment is severely hampered by these social, cultural, political, and economic obstacles. This study will examine these challenges and offer solutions. Many institutional, societal, and financial obstacles have long restricted women's political engagement in District Mardan. Women encounter obstacles that prevent them from participating in electoral politics in rural areas such as Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Patriarchal norms, cultural expectations, economic dependence, and limited access to political networks are just a few of the many barriers that women face when trying to get involved in politics. This paper explores the local political structures and customs that limit women's ability to vote and take part in electoral politics This study intends to explore the difficulties that women in Mardan encounter when attempting to negotiate the political arena, with an emphasis on institutional frameworks, social norms, and financial limitations.

Keywords: Women, Face, Challenges, Hurdles, Electoral Politics, Mardan.