3rd August 2022: Aurat Foundation hold meeting with Women’s Parliamentary Caucus at National Assembly. Mr. Naeem Mirza, Executive Director AF presented the key recommendations for Electoral Reforms for Strengthening Democracy, Ensuring Social Inclusion and Free and Fair Elections in Pakistan. Meeting was chaired by Mehnaz Akbar Aziz, (MNA-PML-N), Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Law and Justice. Dr Syed Shahida Rehmani, (MNA-PPP) Secretary Women's Parliamentary Caucus, Javeria Zafar Akheer, MNA-PTI, Tahira Abdullah, Human Rights Activist, Mumtaz Mughal, Director Programme AF, Nosheen Khurram, National Manager AF JAZBA Programe, Hasan Hakeem and Umaima from UN Women and assembly staff participated.

The Key recommendations were given:

The following Article 25(2 & 3) of the Constitution of Pakistan (Chapter 1: Fundamental Rights and) may be substituted with:

Equality of citizens (2): (2) There shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex, colour, race, religion or religious sect, caste, ethnic or social origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, language, maternity and birth.
Equality of citizens (3)
Nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the protection of women and children, religious or ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities and transgender people.

• Extend Constitutional provision re. reserved seats for women to 30 years (2023 = 50 years)
• Parliamentary review should hold every 10 years
• Use this time span to mainstream women in electoral politics on General seats
• Increase women’s reserved seats from 17% to 33% in all legislatures (federal, provincial, LG)
• ICT: 1 additional seat reserved for women
• Political Parties should increase ticket allotment from 5% to 15% minimum - all Houses/Assemblies. Ticket allotment based on women’s personal merit and track record, not dynastic or geographic imperatives
• Local governments: women 33%; elections through direct modality at all 3 tiers (further details in handouts/annexes) Includes:
• Transgenders (TGI 1%) + PWD women (14%) = 15% of 33% reserved seats
• Peasants-Farmers 5%
• Labourers-Workers 5%
• 33% women within religious Minority reserved seats
• 33% women on Youth seats

• 33% women at senior policy-making positions, e.g. Party CEC and Committees
• ECP to reduce or 100% waive fees & security deposits for women candidates - as incentive
• Political parties to bear 50% election campaign expenses of women candidates
• Political parties and State machinery to ensure women’s physical safety & cyber security
• (where necessary, no photographs in campaign ads).