Women Legislators Lead with Over 1,200 Agenda Items in NA

News Desk 

Islamabad: Women legislators in Pakistan’s National Assembly (NA) are reshaping the country’s legislative landscape, taking on a far broader policy role than commonly perceived, a new analysis reveals.

Data released by Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) shows that during the second parliamentary year of the 16th National Assembly, women MNAs submitted an impressive 1,206 agenda items, underscoring their growing influence in parliamentary affairs.

Contrary to the widespread belief that women lawmakers primarily focus on gender-related issues, the analysis found that a substantial 72% of their contributions addressed core national policy areas such as economic management, taxation, governance, and national security.

Issues tied to constituencies made up 18%, while gender-specific legislation accounted for just 6% of the total agenda.

The findings challenge long-held assumptions in public discourse about the legislative priorities of women in politics. 

Instead of being confined to social welfare or women’s rights, female MNAs are actively engaging in mainstream policy debates, often in areas traditionally dominated by male legislators.

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Fafen’s study is based on a detailed review of official National Assembly records between March 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026. Using a structured classification system, each agenda item was categorized into national policy, constituency matters, gender-specific issues, or procedural topics to assess the breadth of participation.

The report highlights that parliamentary effectiveness is not just about how much lawmakers contribute, but also the diversity of issues they address. 

By that measure, women legislators are demonstrating a wide-ranging legislative footprint, engaging across the full spectrum of national concerns.

The analysis ultimately reinforces a shifting reality within Pakistan’s parliament: women are not niche policymakers. 

They are increasingly central to shaping the national agenda, contributing to key policy debates while also advancing legislation on social protection and women’s rights.