Pakistan attaches highest importance to the participation of women in all wal...

Pakistan attaches highest importance to the participation of women in all walks of life and has taken concrete steps to that end. Our national vision for women's empowerment is guided by the words of our founding father, the Quaid-e-Azam, who said that: “No nation could ever be worthy of its existence that could not take its women along with the men and no struggle could ever succeed without women participating side by side with men”. In the recent past, Pakistan's Parliament has passed a number of laws to eliminate discrimination against women and to promote and protect their rights. We are thankful to the Secretary General for his insights on the subject as well as for the efforts made by the United Nations, under his leadership, in mainstreaming a gender perspective both within and outside the Organization.We also thank USG Herve Ladsous for his useful briefing on how the UN is carrying out the women, peace and security agenda in Peacekeeping Operations.