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. 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.

Source: Pakistan Today April 12, 2019 12:00 UTC