EXPLORING STATE FEMINISM IN PAKISTAN: A CASE STUDY OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN (NCSW)

Abstract

This research attempt to explore state feminism in Pakistan, with a particular emphasis on a comprehensive single case study of the Women's Policy Agency (WPA), particularly centered around the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW). The study aims to investigate how the NCSW contributes to addressing gender issues in Pakistan, encompassing its engagement with the feminist movement, integration of gender concerns into policy discourse, and the challenges affecting its effectiveness. The study adopts a dual theoretical framework of state feminism and feminist institutionalism, which provides a unique perspective to analyze the complex dynamics within the state institution housing the WPA. Through this lens, the research uncovers how formal and informal rules within the state institution collectively shape the influence of state feminism in Pakistan. The study observes that while the NCSW has made significant efforts towards promoting women's rights, it faces challenges in terms of limited influence on policies, addressing violence against women, and engagement with the feminist movement. The research highlights the importance of leadership composition and external circumstances in shaping the NCSW's engagement with feminist movements, revealing a complex interaction. Moreover, the study underscores that the NCSW's involvement aligns with a variety of gender-focused policies, reflecting leadership dynamics and movement demands. It emphasizes the NCSW's role in promoting non-doctrinal or class-based policies, shedding light on the challenges faced by doctrinal policies. The research concludes that the NCSW operates within a multifaceted bureaucratic structure, facing challenges like political instability, gender biases, and resource limitations that collectively impact its effectiveness in advancing women's rights. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of state feminism in Pakistan by examining the interplay between the NCSW, feminist movements, and broader institutional dynamics, offering insights into the complexities of gender empowerment initiatives within the context of a complex institutional landscape