Female voter turnout increased by 2.7 million in 2024 elections

The number of female voters in Pakistan saw a significant surge in the general election of 2024 compared to 2018, with 24.4 million of the 58.9 million women exercising their democratic rights.

This shows an increase of 2.7 million,  nearly a double to the 1.6 million increase in male voters. 

Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) launched a report, titled "Women in Election," which depicted that the share of women voting for provincial constituencies rose from 39.4% in 2018 to 41.4% in 2024.

Similarly, the growth of female voters went up to 41% from 40% in the National Assembly constituencies during February elections. However, the report noted a drop in voter turnout nationwide, except in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, FAFEN proposed that the gender gap in turnout should be narrowed to 10%, and where the gap has shrunk to below 10%, it should be reduced to 5%.

In the last ten years, the gender gap significantly shrunk as women voters’ registration increased to 12.8% compared to 7.7% in 2024, showing a 27% increase in women's participation as voters compared to a 17% rise in male voters. 

However, the overall gender gap persisted in the election, with the highest proportional gap of 12% seen in Balochistan, followed by KP at 9%, Sindh at 8%, Punjab at 7%, and Islamabad at 5%. 

Apart from this, several female candidates significantly boosted their chances in the general election of 2024 compared to 2018, with 902 women combating elections for provincial and national assembly constituencies.