ANP Aim to Ensure Women Vote
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October 11, 2011 TheFreshOutlook  |
Pakistan’s Awami National Party MPA Yasmeen Jasim wants to participate in Pakistan’s next general elections to encourage women to vote.
The newly appointed women wing president wants non-governmental administrations to launch programmes which inform women of their right to vote and its importance.
On Sunday, Dr Jasin told journalists that females in various areas of the district were not registered to vote in general elections, particularly in the local government elections as women are not encouraged to run and be part of this process.
She spoke of women who currently hold reserved seats among the assemblies and local governments, who have not only acquired an education but also know of their rights, which should make it impossible to stop them from carrying out their democratic rights.
Dr Jasin urged fellow female MPAs to hold corner meetings with other women as well as educate them on the importance of their participation, predicting that positive changes will take place over time.
Women will play a constructive role in the country’s economy and the global image of Pakistan if they receive a good education, the MPA believes.
Even though women obtained full voting rights for national elections in 1956, the Election Commission of Pakistan deprived 38 million citizens of the right to vote in November 2007, the majority being women.
By Davina Qureshi
[Image courtesy of Oxfam International]
