What are the primary challenges to women’s leadership in South Asia?
Khadija Haq: South Asia has had many women Prime Ministers including Benazir Bhutto (Pakistan), Indira Gandhi (India), Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia (Bangladesh), and Sirimavo Bandaranaike and Chandrika Kumaratunga (Sri Lanka). However, these leadership gains do not reflect the reality that women’s overall representation in national governments is extremely poor. Women comprise a mere 7% of parliamentary seats in the South Asian region, which is half the world average of 14%. South Asian governments are beginning to take steps to increase women’s political participation through the establishment of quota systems at national and local levels. For example, in India and Pakistan gains have been made in increasing women’s participation at the local level. One-third of the seats in local government structures are reserved and held by women. The one-third quota, however, needs to be instituted in all legislative, judiciary, and executive bodies at all levels, starting at the national level.
