Gender Inclusion in a Masculine Bureaucracy: Lived Experiences of Women Civil Servants in Pakistan

Abstract

This article explores whether Pakistan’s civil service, often viewed as male-dominated and hierarchical, is becoming more inclusive for women. The study draws on 30 in-depth interviews with women from various service groups, ranks, and career stages. It looks at how these women experience and manage inclusion at work. Rather than focusing only on exclusion and barriers, the women described the civil service as becoming more merit-based, supportive, and enabling. The findings suggest that culture can change, with attitudes about legitimacy, authority, and women’s participation shifting. Using feminist institutionalism and gendered organization theory, the article views change as a gradual process. This research contributes to discussions on gender and governance in the Global South, showing that inclusion can increase even in traditionally male institutions. The findings are also relevant for public sector reforms, gender mainstreaming, and efforts to modernize Pakistan’s bureaucracy.