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Zero female voters

Sir: During the general elections of May 11, 2013, there was zero turnout of women observed in some areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA and Punjab. Most likely, the suspected factors behind this zero or no turnout were the prevailing conservative and orthodox norms and traditions, male dominance and cultural restrictions, hindering women from their right to vote. As far as I have observed, women are not allowed to cast their vote by their kin or they cast their vote according to the consent of their spouses. Ethically, or maybe for the sake of retaining peace in their domestic lives, they submit but, I am sure, they do not do so willingly. It is observed that in some areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa they do or do not cast their vote according to the decision taken by the jirga (tribal assembly). In this way, the true participation of women does not add up. Such issues cannot be resolved overnight but by long term planning to educate society. This issue needs to be addressed, at least to some extent, to avoid any mess in future general elections. We still have almost half a decade to deal with this problem.

SADIA WAJID
Okara

Daily Times