Islamabad: Women parliamentarians in Pakistan have significantly shaped the legislative agenda in the 2024-25 parliamentary session, contributing nearly half of the items discussed

According to the Free and Fair Election Network, Despite making up only 17 percent of the Parliament, women legislators have been instrumental in advancing key legislative priorities, highlighting their growing influence in shaping policy discourse.

Women Parliamentarians Performance Report (2024-25), women members initiated 55 percent of the agenda in the National Assembly and 31 percent in the Senate. These contributions covered a wide array of issues, from institutional accountability to climate resilience and economic inequality. Legislative efforts also focused on enhancing human rights protections, healthcare reforms, and labor rights, with an emphasis on inclusivity in parliamentary processes.

However, the report notes a decline in the rate at which women’s agenda items were addressed in 2024-25. The National Assembly addressed 67 percent of women-sponsored items, a decrease from previous years. The Senate also saw a similar decline. This trend reflects a broader stagnation in parliamentary efficiency, affecting both genders equally, as male-sponsored items experienced a comparable decline.

Women legislators introduced more agenda items on average than their male counterparts, with female MNAs proposing an average of 17 items compared to three by men. In the Senate, women proposed 11 items each, nearly double the male average. Almost all female MNAs and Senators actively participated in parliamentary proceedings, contributing agenda items and engaging in debates.

Attendance patterns further underscored women legislators’ commitment, with female MNAs attending more sittings on average than their male colleagues. In the Senate, women’s attendance occasionally surpassed that of men, highlighting their dedication to legislative work.