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Madam President,
We are grateful to Executive Director Ms. Bachelet for a comprehensive presentation of the first ever Strategic Plan of UN Women. We recognize the hard work put in by all members of her team under her able leadership. We endorse the full and effective implementation of the plan which is the first concrete step by UN Women to assist Member States and the UN system in progressing towards achieving the goal of gender equality and empowerment of women.
Pakistan is pleased with the long term vision of the Strategic Plan and looks forward to working together with all partners to implement, review and where necessary, revise this plan to ensure achievement of desired targets in an efficient manner. We are confident that under the Executive Director’s able leadership all three categories of development, management and integrated resources frameworks would register progress.
Madam President,
As the flagship entity to make the UN system achieve true gender equality and empowerment of women, the potential of UN Women is immense. However, as this ship sets sail, it must remain seized of the importance of respecting cultural, religious and traditional diversities. While pursuing the legitimate goals and objectives of UN Women, we should not be oblivious of these realities and must work with cooperation, consent and mutual understanding and not imposition of one set of values over others. Within the UN system, the Entity should work with all relevant agencies to coordinate, complement and strengthen gender equality in their respective fields. In the field, however, the guiding principle should be to work with respective national machineries with a framework flexible enough to respond to national priorities and needs as defined by Member States. We are pleased that this element is reflected, appropriately, in the Strategic Plan.
The Strategic Plan rightly states that Governments across the globe are increasingly realizing the importance of tapping the potentials of their women citizens. This realization, however, cannot progress from the conceptual to the practical realm without proper investment in women’s civil, political, social, cultural and economic rights. Equal opportunities and rights for women is not a matter of magnanimity by the bodies politic but the recognition of their innate equal rights and status. It should also be seen as an exercise of enlightened self interest since greater gender equality has proven to be conducive to higher economic productivity as well as socio political and democratic transformation of societies. Nevertheless, despite notable progress in many countries the drive is work in progress and a lot remains to be done. Enhanced and eventually equal participation of women in particular in the social, economic and political fields must be ensured at various levels to progress towards their true empowerment. This would also dovetail into efforts aimed at reducing violence and bringing equality.
Madam President,
During the first session of UN Women, we had proposed creating a network of women parliamentarians all over the world around the globe. This would provide a conduit for, real time quality inputs on problems as well as possible and practical solutions to case specific obstacles. Women parliamentarians are best suited to bring gender equality agenda to its rightful place in the national discourse and agenda. We also, would like to reiterate our conviction that there is no alternative to investing in women and girls’ education and health, to unlock their awareness, self realization, equality, opportunities and empowerment. At the same time however, a note of caution against overly broad brushstrokes is in order: priorities such as implementation of women's peace and security agenda must not supplant or second-guess universally agreed frameworks.
Madam President,
Pakistan is pursuing a progressive agenda for gender equality and women empowerment. Legislation on women empowerment and to curb violence against women has been augmented and added to. Women legislators are spearheading various initiatives on this account. Beside over 20% of women in legislatures the National Assembly Speakership as well as Ministries like Foreign Affairs, Environment and Information, are led by women Ministers.
Pakistan has been supportive of this noble Entity from its inception. We are, and intend to remain, in close liaison with UN Women Representatives in Pakistan. We are determined to work closely with them to complement our national efforts. In conclusion, allow me to reiterate our full support to the Executive Director for her efforts and reiterate our endorsement of the strategic priorities and results of the Strategic Plan as outlined by the Executive Director. We are fully cognizant of the challenges that lie ahead and look forward to continue working with all our partners to strengthen UN Women to help it realize the agenda of gender equality and women empowerment both within the UN system and in the Member States.
I thank you Madam President.