NEW YORK: Pakistan is increasing women’s participation in United Nations’ (UN) peacekeeping missions and has met the 15 per cent goal of female peacekeepers set by the global body, Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi said.
Speaking during the United Nations Security Council Debate on ‘Women in Peacekeeping’, Lodhi said that as a leading troop contributor, Pakistan had always set the highest standards in fulfilling peacekeeping mandates, including protection of vulnerable segments of the population, especially women and children, from violence.
Ambassador Lodhi further said that Pakistani female peacekeepers had shown exemplary competence, dedication and professionalism and like their male counterparts have distinguished themselves in promoting global peace and security.
“For my country protection of the vulnerable, including women and children, is not only a global peace and security imperative, it is also a solemn obligation,” Ambassador Lodhi emphasised.
“We remain resolute and steadfast to honour our commitments in this regard,” she added.
During the UNSC debate, she said Pakistan had been urging integration of the gender perspective into the peacebuilding paradigm, with a view to promoting comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable peace
Ambassador Lodhi stressed that increasing participation of female peacekeepers, and encouraging more women to take up mediation roles could help in the stabilisation and reconstruction phases of conflicts.
Highlighting Pakistan’s stellar record in peacekeeping, Ambassador Lodhi added that Pakistan “remained committed to fulfilling its responsibilities in accordance with the uniformed gender parity strategy, and relevant Security Council Resolutions”.
“Pakistan will also be deploying a female engagement team in the Democratic Republic of the Congo later this year,” Ambassador Lodhi informed the 15-member Security Council.