Is peacebuilding possible without women? India’s sharp question at the UNSC’s open debate on women, peace, and security
Parvathaneni Harish, speaking at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), highlighted the role of women in society and India’s significant contribution to peacebuilding. He also criticized Pakistan for its misleading criticism. India once again exposed its neighbor’s propaganda on the global stage.
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, underscored India’s clear policy during the UNSC’s open debate on Women, Peace, and Security, stating that India’s record on this agenda is unblemished and intact.
Representing India strongly on the UN platform, Harish said that figures like Kiran Bedi have led India in promoting women peacekeepers. He recalled that Dr. Kiran Bedi, the first female officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS), was appointed as the first female police advisor and head of the United Nations Police Division in 2003, a testament to India’s leadership.
Is peacebuilding possible without women?
On the role of women in peacebuilding, Harish remarked:
“We believe the question is no longer whether women can build peace. Rather, the relevant question now is — is peacebuilding possible without women?”
He emphasized that women play a vital role in combating gender-based violence and ensuring that peace processes reflect the needs of all sections of society.
India exposes Pakistan’s double standards
Quoting External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Harish said women peacekeepers are “messengers of peace.” He also took the opportunity to expose Pakistan’s double standards.
“Unfortunately, every year we hear Pakistan’s misleading criticism against our country, especially on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Their greed has their eyes on this Indian territory,” he said.
What happened to 400,000 women in Pakistan 54 years ago?
Harish also reminded the world of Pakistan’s history of violence and genocide.
“A country that bombs its own people and commits systematic genocide can only try to mislead and divert the world’s attention through exaggeration,” he said.
Referring to Operation Searchlight (1971), Harish added that Pakistan’s army launched a campaign of mass rape and massacre of 400,000 female civilians, exposing the hypocrisy of its human rights rhetoric.
India’s statement at the UNSC once again reaffirmed its global leadership role in peacekeeping, women’s empowerment, and international diplomacy.
