New York, 11 November 2021 (TDI): Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Munir Akram met Sima Bahous the Executive Director of UN Women. Pakistan’s Counsellor, Saima Saleem also participated in the meeting and deliberated on women empowerment.
In my meeting with Ambassador Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of @PakistanUN_NY and Counsellor @SSaima11, we discussed women peace and security and investing in climate resilience. UN Women is committed to working together for the futures of women and girls. pic.twitter.com/CLISPCO7w1
— Sima Bahous (@unwomenchief) November 9, 2021
The dignitaries met to discuss issues of women, and impact of issues related to peace, security, and climate change on the women. Sima Bahous mentioned that UN Women is committed to work for a better future for women. The dignitaries discussed the possibilities of investing in climate resilience and deliberated on the prospects of investing in it. Sima Bahous also spoke about gendered impacts of climate change and highlighted the importance of addressing it. She advocates inclusive climate action at all levels.
Sima Bahous is also campaigning for the successful materialization of Agenda 2030. The agenda is focusing to make the economy in favor of women.
Gender Equality- An overview
Gender equality is to “End all discrimination against women and girls. It is not only a basic human right, it’s crucial for sustainable future; it’s proven that empowering women and girls helps economic growth and development”. It is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were adopted by world leaders in 2015, represent a blueprint for sustainable progress that leaves no one behind.
Each of the 17 goals depends on achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment. Only by protecting the rights of women and girls across all goals will we achieve justice and inclusion, inclusive economies, and long-term environmental sustainability for current and future generations.
The governments have the utmost responsibilty in ensuring gender equality. it was emphasized by Sima Bahous in her remarks to the UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security (October 21, 2021), she said:
“I hope that you feel – and share – my sense of urgency to make progress in the women, peace and security agenda. If we want to see a tangible difference in the lives of women and girls and a paradigm shift in the way we confront peace and security issues, we need governments to step up. And not just the governments in countries that are affected by conflict, but also their regional neighbors, their trading partners, their military allies, their donors and most of all, this Security Council”.
It is pertinent here to highlight that Counsellor Saima Saleem is the first blind Civil Servant of Pakistan. She represents a true face of women empowerment. She was presenting Pakistan’s Right of Reply at the 76th Session of the UNGA, for which she received worldwide recognition.
