Team Details:

 Theme/Relevant Ministry:

INSTITUTIONS:
Election Commission of Pakistan

Project Brief:

Women’s choices at the polls are influenced by gender roles, cultural traditions, religious beliefs, and society attitudes. For example, men are typically assigned greater decision-making authority due to conventional gender norms, which may put pressure on women to vote in accordance with male family members. Furthermore, women’s voting preferences are influenced by the belief that their major duties are to uphold the honor of the home and family, which causes them to prioritize concerns like family welfare, healthcare, education, and security. Female voting preferences are also heavily influenced by religious practices and beliefs, particularly in a province like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where Islam is the predominant religion. Candidates or political parties that share their religious beliefs or support socially and morally righteous issues may be given preference by women. District Buner offers an interesting case study due to its distinct political dynamics and demography. Women in Buner encounter discrimination on a daily basis, despite having the constitutional right to vote, which limits their ability to participate in politics, the economy, and society. Developing successful strategies to support women’s political representation and inclusive democratic processes in the region requires an understanding of the variables that contribute to low female turnout, the significance of religion, and the impact of socio-cultural factors on female voting preferences in Buner.

Public Policy Relevance:

The research on female voting preferences in district Buner will have a far-reaching impact on the public policy as it includes “Gender-sensitive electoral strategies” can be developed with the help of an understanding of the subtle factors impacting women’s voting patterns. These findings provide policymakers with a foundation for developing strategies that encourage increased female voting participation, guaranteeing inclusivity and representation in the political arena. To know how socio-economic, political, cultural and educational variables influence women’s voting behaviour and  allows policymakers to implement targeted initiatives that empower women in politics, reducing gender inequality and creating an atmosphere that encourages their active participation. The results of this study provide evidence-based insights into the complex dynamics of female voting preferences, which helps policymakers create more responsive policies that are specifically designed to address the needs of women in District Buner. In the conclusion, the findings of this study serve as a fundamental cornerstone for developing public policies meant to promote gender-inclusive, equitable, and participatory democratic processes in District Buner and maybe throughout Pakistan.