Protesting with Abandon: Exploring the Drivers of Women's Protests in Pakistan

• In Event: Gender and Violence in South Asia

Abstract

When and why do women engage in public protests and demonstrations? While an extensive body of literature exists on women's political participation and activism, there remains a notable gap in research on the drivers of women's protests in the Global South, specifically in regions affected by varying forms of political violence. In countries governed by hybrid regimes, or societies with conservative and rigid gender roles, women's involvement in public protests becomes fraught with exceptional risks, encompassing personal safety, societal ostracism, and legal consequences.

What then prompts women to join protests, and what factors influence the scale, frequency, and geographical distribution of their participation? Drawing on the case of Pakistan and using data between 2013 and 2023 (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project), this paper explores how variation in political violence at the subnational level influences women’s decisions to engage in public protests. We expect that women in areas with a history of heightened conflict may be driven by concerns related to security, human rights, and justice, while women in low-conflict regions may prioritize socio-economic issues. Furthermore, we hypothesize that areas marked by state repression and terrorism are likely to witness more frequent and substantial women's protests compared to regions primarily affected by state-led military operations against militant groups. Our findings contribute to the broader discourse on women's political activism and the unique challenges in conflict affected regions, ultimately deepening our understanding of the intersections between gender, conflict, and political engagement in the Global South.

Authors

• Amira Jadoon, Clemson University

• Aiysha Varraich, University of Gothenburg

• Sibongile Abigail Majola, Clemson University