Women Participation in Politics Under Devolution of Power Plan (DOPP): A Case Study of Balochistan

Abstract

The purpose of research is to gauge the impact on women in the devolution of power in Balochistan.Since the creation of Pakistan, it has weak historical record of political and socialservices and its delivery is widely blamed on over centralized and inefficient national government. Military Governments had focused on local bodies system more than civilian rulers. The dictators paid more attention to local government to remove the suffocation because national politics was banned. There were three military dictatorswhich took over the country and then introduced local government systems in Pakistan.Firstly, General Muhammad Ayub Khan introduced basic democracies in 1959, secondly, General Muhammad Zia -ul- Haq enforced local bodies systemin1979 and then GeneralPervezMusharraf announceddevolution power plan in2000. According to the 1998 census, population of the country was 130.6 million and almost half of population covered women community.The share of women in Balochistan was 49.39% in that census. General Pervez Musharraf enforced devolution of powerplan in 2001 with the purpose to givethe proper share to this neglected sex. Therefore, he reserved 33% for women in all tiers i.e. form union council to district council. The total reserved for women councilor in Pakistan was 39964 including 3454 in Balochistan Province.The results show that women participation was weak in the rural areas of Balochistan as compared with urban areas. There were no separate funds or schemes for women. However, Women awareness increased in the politics. The ladies councilors were unable to reducedomestic violence. Unfortunately, they were alsounable to perform political activities due to the low education system, ethnicity, political traditional influence and tribal society of Balochistan.