Political Struggle for Women Empowerment: A Comparative Study of General Zia-ul-Haq and General Pervez Musharraf Era

Abstract

Women are more than half of the Pakistan’s population, still they are discriminated in every field of life due to prevailing misinterpreted religious teachings, patriarchy, and feudalistic values, which are deep rooted in society. Alongside, since independence military role remain dominant in political that have strong impact in shaping women status in Pakistan. For this reason, in this article comparison of two military regimes General Zia-ul-Haq and General Pervez Musharraf is made to explore how their policies shaped the women status in Pakistani society. General Zia was determined to Islamized the legal system of Pakistan, which limited the women within four walls of home; no practical political will was there to empower women. The introduction of Hadood Ordinance 1979, blocked women social, economic, and political liberation.  Contrary to this, General Pervez Musharraf’s era seems a cure, as political efforts made, for instance, Women Protection Bill 2006 introduced, and vague legislation introduced in General Zia era redrafted. First time in history of Pakistan women quota that much increased in National Assemblies of Pakistan, their political struggle to get rights encouraged, which resulted in women-oriented legislation. All this effort, remained very helpful to enhance the women social, economic, and political position at national level, and portrayed soft image of Pakistan internationally.