United Nations: India slammed Pakistan’s “mischievous provocation” and “political propaganda” during a Security Council meeting on women, peace and security, saying the condition of women belonging to minority communities, notably Hindus, Sikhs and Christians in the country remains deplorable.
“It is despicable yet entirely predictable that one delegation has chosen to indulge in mischievous provocation based on their tried and tested tactic of spreading misinformation and disinformation,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador P Harish said in the UNSC on Friday.
Addressing the UN Security Council debate, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Parvathaneni Harish, said, “It is despicable, yet entirely predictable, that one delegation has chosen to indulge in mischievous provocation based on their pride and tested tactic of spreading misinformation and disinformation. It’s completely misplaced to indulge in such political propaganda at this important annual debate. We are well aware that the condition of women belonging to minority communities, notably Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians in that country remains deplorable,” he added.
His remarks came after Pakistan’s representative in his remarks during the UNSC debate made references to Jammu and Kashmir.
“An estimated thousand women of these minority communities, as per data of the Human Rights Commission of that particular country, are subject to abduction, forced religious conversions, and forced marriages every year. Anyway, I could go on, but I end here,” he added.
India thanked Switzerland for convening the crucial debate on women building peace in a changing environment and appreciated the insightful briefings by the Deputy Secretary General, the UN Women Executive Director, and civil society representatives.
“As we approach the 25th anniversary of Council Resolution 1325, India reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. We recognize that sustainable peace requires women’s full equal, meaningful and safe participation at all levels of decision-making, including politics, governance, institution building, rule of law, the security sector and economic recovery. Needless to say, the economic and social well-being of the population in general, and women in particular, are integral to sustainable peace,” Harish said.
“As we approach the 25th anniversary of Council Resolution 1325, India reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. We recognize that sustainable peace requires women’s full equal, meaningful and safe participation at all levels of decision-making, including politics, governance, institution building, rule of law, the security sector and economic recovery. Needless to say, the economic and social well-being of the population in general, and women in particular, are integral to sustainable peace,” Harish said.
“In 2023, Major Radhika Sen, who served in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was awarded the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. She follows in the footsteps of her illustrious predecessor, Major Suman Gawani, who was recognized for her service with the UN mission in South Sudan, she was honoured by the UN in 2019,” Harish added.
He recalled that India passed the Women’s Reservation Bill in 2023, which he stressed has empowered women in the political decision-making process.
Underscoring India’s efforts to enhance the participation of women in decision-making roles, P Harish said, “Domestically, India has been striving to enhance meaningful participation of women in decision-making roles. In 2023, India passed a historic Women’s Reservation Bill, reserving one-third of seats in national and state legislatures for women, empowering them in political decision-making process. We have promoted women’s leadership in community mobilization and public government interface, recognizing their role as agents of social change and cohesion.”
Speaking about the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) of Gujarat, he said, “The example of SEWA in Gujarat comes to mind. It’s a movement of self-employed women in rural and urban India. It’s also the largest trade union of the country. It has pioneered the empowerment of self-employed women, providing a voice to numerous women workers in the informal industry and promoting their leadership at all levels.”
India’s Permanent Representative also called for making use of new technologies to increase the participation of women while guarding against online threats and disinformation.
“In a rapidly changing world, we must harness new technologies to enhance women’s participation while guarding against online threats and disinformation. We have leveraged digital technologies to minimize the gender divide, enhance financial inclusion and empower women, especially in rural India. We call upon the international community to develop robust mechanisms to address these emerging challenges,” he said.
Harish expressed India’s commitment to further increase women’s representation in peacekeeping contingents, sharing best practices and supporting capacity-building initiatives for women peacebuilders. He reiterated India’s commitment to translating the WPS agenda from theory to practice and expressed readiness to collaborate with all stakeholders to build a more peaceful, inclusive and gender-equal world.
