Making history as the first female candidate from the KP constituency is Shakira Shinwari.

In Assembly Constituency PK-69 Khyber I in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, history is being made when Shakira Shinwari becomes the first female candidate to run in the general elections.

In addition to the typical campaign obstacles, Shinwari confronts particular difficulties because she is a woman from a tribal region and is running on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTI) platform.

Obstacles and Priorities:

Shinwari places a great priority on resolving the constituents’ fundamental issues. He lists sports facilities, roads, and other necessary amenities among his top priorities, along with health, education, clean water, and energy. However, because of her gender and the cultural culture of the area, her campaign faces unique difficulties. One of her top goals is to make Landi Kotal a role model tehsil.

Overcoming Cultural Obstacles:

Shinwari admits that in a society where traditional customs are prevalent, it might be challenging to approach males and ask them for their votes. She nevertheless highlights the importance of her involvement, saying, “The main goal is to highlight the problems here. Winning and losing are part of elections.”

Shinwari illuminated the difficult job that women endure when carrying water over great distances, serving as a sobering reminder of their everyday struggles. Speaking to the media, Shinwari berated earlier local lawmakers for their disregard for women’s problems.

She also drew attention to the poor quality of healthcare available to women in the formerly tribal regions, especially when it comes to birthing, since referrals from Landi Kotal to Peshawar sometimes end in sad deaths because of the lengthy travel distances.

Shinwari has her family’s support in her political endeavours despite the obstacles. Her goals are to improve the community as a whole and promote women’s rights.

Shinwari pledges to bring about a “revolutionary” change in Landi Kotal for both men and women if elected. Her top concerns include making the area into a model tehsil and taking care of important things like roads, sports facilities, and necessities.

Beyond the Manifesto:

Although there is no information regarding a written manifesto, Shinwari’s remarks suggest that the focus would be on addressing local problems and enhancing fundamental services. In an area where women have historically had less presence in politics, her candidature alone sends a strong statement for women’s empowerment.

Importance of Shinwari’s Nomination:

Shinwari’s campaign is not limited to the current election. In the tribal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it might be a turning moment for women’s political engagement. Whether she succeeds or fails will have a big impact on encouraging women in the future to run for office and represent their communities.