Patriarchal Grasp over Voting Behavior of Women in Rural Punjab

Omair Azam; Dr. Qaisar Khalid Mahmood; Muhammad Uzair

doi:10.71085/sss.03.04.195

Authors

Omair Azam Lecturer, Department of Sociology, University of Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Dr. Qaisar Khalid Mahmood Assistant Professor, Department of Gender Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Muhammad Uzair Research Officer, Department of Gender Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71085/sss.03.04.195

Keywords:

Patriarchy, Political participation, Decision-making, Voting behavior, Political system

Abstract

The patriarchal grasp rooted in Pakistani society has been overpowering women. It is a consequence of the patriarchal embedment in social structures of Pakistan that ranked it 145th in the global gender gap index among 146. This study aimed to observe the patriarchal grasp overthe political behaviors of women. The researchers used a case study research design. A total of 30 participants were interviewed, including both men and women, through an interview guide with the help of a purposive sampling technique. The analysis was done using the thematic analysis technique. The themes were political association, the extent of participation, political awareness, opinion-building, and decision-making. These significant themes collectively underpin women's voting behavior. It also explored the socially fenced barriers women face to practice their civic rights in the political arena.