WOMEN POLITICAL PARTICIPATION AND DECISION MAKING IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: EVIDENCE FROM INDONESIA & PAKISTAN

Abstract

The main aim of this paper was to explore about the current status of women political participation in the local governance system of Indonesia and Pakistan. Apart from that, this paper also examines the problems and challenges women political leaders face at the local government level. In this research, the writer used normative research and the method of the research was qualitative research. FGDs and IIs were conducted from the stakeholders both in Pakistan and Indonesia. Thematic analysis was applied to find out the themes, patterns and nodes. The paper found out that Indonesian government and different associations have worked for the promotion of women political participation, however the actual participation of women at local level in both Pakistan and Indonesia is very weak. The findings argued that Indonesian and Pakistani laws and constitutions gave equal right to the women but their participation at the political sphere was compromised in both countries. The findings proved that particularly in Pakistan, the resource development and availability of the resources for women was at loggerheads. However, most of the women in Indonesia and Pakistan were positive regarding their involvement in the local politics. Women acknowledged that their role can bring positive development in the local governance system.The paper recommends to change the traditional political system of Pakistan and Indonesia.