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.