This comprehensive research brief examines three decades of progress since the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, focusing specifically on women's political leadership across eight South Asian countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Our research analyses key parameters that shape women's political participation, including voting rights, electoral representation, quota systems, institutional mechanisms, and legal frameworks designed to protect women in politics. Through a detailed country-by-country analysis, the brief identifies significant achievements while highlighting persistent barriers that continue to limit women's meaningful participation in political leadership.

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Despite progress in implementing electoral quotas and reservation policies, the study finds that women remain underrepresented in most South Asian parliaments and face numerous structural challenges. These include inadequate enforcement of existing quotas, gender-based violence in political spaces, and the persistence of cultural norms that discourage women's political engagement.

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The brief concludes with five actionable recommendations for policymakers, researchers, and institutional experts:

1. Strengthen electoral quotas and ensure their effective implementation

2. Enhance legal protections against gender-based harassment in politics

3. Increase women's leadership in decision-making positions

4. Improve voter participation and address cultural barriers

5. Strengthen institutional mechanisms for gender-responsive governance

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This research contributes to the global Beijing+30 review process and provides valuable insights for the Commission on the Status of Women's sixty-ninth session (CSW69) in March 2025.

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