Female embodiment and patriarchal bargains: a context-specific perspective on female politicians in Pakistan

Abstract

The significance of the human body and the embodiment of gender identity is an important discussion that requires more attention within gender and organisation studies literatures. In this paper, we draw on high-profile interviews with female parliamentarians in Pakistan to examine how embodiment affects women in power. Our data suggests that embodiment affects social exchanges that involve power and that the physical performances of socially constructed gendered behaviours affect performances as political leaders. Women leaders use different bargains to access and exercise power while also fitting into a socially acceptable version of a woman. We expand the notion of patriarchal bargains and demonstrate that women negotiate for power with patriarchy in physical, discursive and ideological ways.

Keywords:

• Embodiment
• gender
• patriarchal bargains
• politics
• power
• women

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 http://www.na.gov.pk/en/composition.php

http://www.na.gov.pk/en/mna_list_w2.php?list=women

2 https://www.pakp.gov.pk/members-directory/by-name/

3 In a recent event, a young chairperson of a leading political party was ridiculed when pictures and videos hit the news of him crying while visiting victims of a terrorist incident. On multiple occasions, he has been referred to as Billo Rani (a pet name for a girl) and Sahiba (lady) as potential insults.

4 Touch-me-not (also known as shame plant or shy plant) – a plant that folds it leaves inwards when touched or shaken.

5 A hujra is a place (separate from the household) where every Khan (head of a Pakhtoon tribe) gathers his (male) guests. People often come in to the hujras to stay, eat and discuss their problems with the Khan.

6 https://twitter.com/sherryrehman/status/839450414558896129?lang=en

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mariam† Mohsin

Mariam Mohsin, PhD, is currently serving as Assistant Professor at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad. Her research focuses on the interplay of gender, social relations and organisational systems. She completed her doctorate in organisational behaviour from the Suleman Dawood School of Business, Lahore University of Management Sciences.

Jawad Syed

Jawad Syed, PhD, is Professor of organisational behaviour and leadership at the Suleman Dawood School of Business, Lahore University of Management Sciences. He has an extensive publishing record and has also edited several books. His research interests include diversity management, international HRM, business ethics, knowledge management and leadership. He is Co-Chair of the European Academy of Management’s (EURAM) Gender, Race and Diversity in Organisations (GRDO) Special Interest Group. He is a director of the Global Centre for Equality and Human Rights (GCEHR) and coordinator of the South Asian Academy of Management (SAAM).