Pakistan, for the first time in its history, has increased the women representation in its parliament in 2002 General Election to surpass the world average of around 15 per cent. This quantum leap has created a host of opportunities and challenges not only for the women representatives but also for democracy, democratic institutions, political parties and the country as a whole. This background paper has been prepared to promote an informed and serious discourse on the subject of increased women representation in the Parliament. It outlines some of the major issues regarding women’s representation in Parliament and presents factual information on the history of women’s representation in the Parliaments of Pakistan and other countries of the world.