India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, slammed Pakistan for raising the issue of women’s rights in Kashmir in the UN Security Council (UNSC), calling the statement “malicious and false propaganda” and “frivolous, baseless, and politically motivated.”
She added that India considered the comments “unworthy” of a response.
#IndiaInUNSC
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Statement by India in the UN Security Council on “Women, Peace and Security” today.#UNSCR1325 pic.twitter.com/3MFJ06cHIP
Pakistan’s Statement
At Tuesday’s UNSC session, Pakistani Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called on the Council to set up a “monitoring mechanism” to investigate crimes against women in occupied regions, including Jammu and Kashmir.
Zardari criticised the Indian government and armed forces for victimising women in Jammu and Kashmir with hate and violence.
Apart from Jammu and Kashmir, he also highlighted women’s suffering in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Africa, and Iraq, where women were being targeted and “suffering from the consequences of wars that were imposed on them.”
Live: FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s statement at the UNSC Open debate on “Towards the 25th anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000)” https://t.co/6Q9WWyMDxl
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He further stressed that violation of women’s rights curtailed the right to self-determination of those being suppressed and occupied by foreign forces. The Pakistani minister also lamented that the international community did not address the nuance of women’s rights in occupied areas, even as troops target women and girls during conflicts.
To this end, Zardari called on the UN to protect women’s education rights to help them contribute to society. He further reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for other measures following UNSC resolutions, including deploying Women Protection Advisors, ensuring a more prominent role for women in UN peacekeeping forces, and enhancing women’s role in preventing conflicts and delivering relief and assistance.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari @BBhuttoZardari delivering a statement during the UNSC Open Debate on “Women and peace and security” on the Sidelines of @UN_CSW 67th Session at the @UNHQ : @PakistanUN_NY pic.twitter.com/IwkEtMEPko
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The FM was addressing the UNSC during an event held to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the approval of Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. The gathering was conducted under Mozambique’s Presidency in the run-up to International Women’s Day.
He will also preside over the “Women in Islam” conference, which is co-hosted by the UN Commission on the Status of Women and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
India on Women’s Rights
Apart from rejecting Pakistan’s statements on Kashmir, Kamboj also reassured India’s commitment to women’s progress, which she said is the “very basis for the empowerment of a nation.” She further highlighted the disregard for women’s roles in “conflict prevention, recovery, and reconstruction.”
In this regard, she emphasised the importance of four issues:
First, she said that countries must ensure women’s participation in “political process and decision making.” In this regard, she cited India’s consistent support for an inclusive government in Afghanistan.
Text based, timebound & transparent negotiations to expand permanent & non permanent membership of UNSC & revise its work methods must lead to launch of a restructured UNSC at UN Summit of the Future in 2024, as part of its New Agenda for Peace. pic.twitter.com/jLbh8jLD1k
— Lakshmi M Puri (@lakshmiunwomen) March 7, 2023
Second, she said that international and regional organisations must support national mechanisms to strengthen domestic mechanisms and institutional structures to ensure accountability of those perpetrating violence against women and violations of gender rights.
Third, she outlined the need to ensure the participation of women in local police forces and peacekeeping teams.
Lastly, she urged recognition of the impact of terrorism and violent extremism in perpetrating violence against women and children. To this end, she said, “This deserves the strongest condemnation and calls for the adoption of a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of terrorism.”