Remarks by Ambassador Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN and President of UN ECOSOC at the virtual High-Level Meeting on Commemoration of the International Day for Women “Women Participation in Decision-Making; Reforms and Best Practices” hosted by Saudi Arabia, says a press release received here today from New York.
Thank you very much. First of all, I would like to thank H.E. Ambassador Abdullah Mouallimi, my brother and the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for convening this high-level meeting
May I first of all, take the opportunity to wish all my sisters participating in this event, Happy International Women's Day.
First of all, Let me say I noted particularly important remarks, which H.E Mr. Miguel made outlining some important statistics to the developments in Saudi Arabia as well as, it is a pleasure to hear my sister Madam Thoraya Obaid for outlining the historical perspective of the progress in Saudi Arabia.
Equality between men and women is a basic tenet of Islam and I think that we forget to emphasize that sufficiently when we talk on the forums of the United Nations. It is tenet that was there much before the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is of course now also a principle of human rights and fundamental freedom and it is a matter of Social Justice for economic and social development in our countries.
A transforming partnership between women and men is a prerequisite for the timely achievement of the sustainable development goals. We will not be able to achieve those goals unless we also achieve the goals of parity, gender equality, non-discrimination between men and women in our societies.
I think what has happened in Saudi Arabia is phenomenal. A phenomenal, legal, political, administrative transformation through reforms which have been introduced under the ‘Vision 2030’ programme. These are transformative and it is a great compliment to the leadership of His Majesty King Salman Bin AbdulAziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman that they have led this transformation. Reforms which have expanded and extended the rights of women which we heard today in great detail and impressive detail which I must say the world is not fully aware of. It is something we need to make world aware of initiated by Saudi Arabian leadership as an Islamic country. Something that could be a example in terms of descriptive note towards promotion of gender equality in Islamic society.
In Pakistan too, we have taken a number of policy initiatives and legislative measures to promote the emancipation and empowerment of women. We are promoting a gender-sensitive society where women have all the opportunities to participate, excel in all walks of life, women in government, Corporations, in the armed forces, fighter pilots and Pakistan’s diplomacy and my Government is committed to continue working towards the achievement of gender parity and equality for all Pakistani women.
Let me conclude by recalling what the father of Pakistani Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, said “I have always maintained that no nation can ever be worthy of its existence that cannot take its women along with the men.”
I thank you very much for this opportunity.
