From Representation to Political Empowerment: Analyzing the Role of Political Parties and Women Leadership in Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Women have made remarkable inroads to more professional and challenging spheres traditionally considered as male domains. The political sphere remains an arena in which women have not gained comparably visible status especially in the context of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Women are highly under-represented in the political structure of Azad Jammu and Kashmir occupying only 10% representation in legislative assembly. This paper with a focus on social-political framework of South Asian region emphasized on the ways political parties restrained women’s access to political empowerment. This study looked at the management of political parties as gatekeepers to women’s access to political decision making. Present study provided a more holistic and in-depth insight about the experiences of women members of political parties through qualitative research approach. In-depth interviews were conducted from thirty women members of three different political parties in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Results showed that mechanisms and practices of political parties as well as the political culture and electoral systems fairly influence women’s access to political leadership.