Political Interest and Political Participation of Women: Mediating Role of Education

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between political interest, education, and political participation among educated Pakistani women, with a focus on education as a mediating factor. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 400 female students across four universities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi through a structured survey. Analysis in SPSS included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, linear regression, and mediation testing using the Hayes PROCESS macro. Results show a significant positive relationship between political interest and political participation, and education substantially increases political interest. However, education did not significantly strengthen the link between political interest and political involvement. These findings suggest that although higher education enhances political awareness, sociocultural and structural barriers continue to restrict women’s active political engagement. The study underscores the need for context-sensitive strategies that convert political knowledge into meaningful participation while addressing persistent gendered constraints in Pakistan’s political landscape.