Pakistani women officers visit NATO Headquarters
From 14 to 16 January, a group of senior women Pakistani officers visited NATO Headquarters in Brussels. The eleven officers, who represented the Pakistani Army, Navy and Air Force, engaged in a series of discussions with high-level NATO officials on common security-related concerns.
Addressing the women officers, Dr Stefanie Babst, Acting Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, applauded Pakistan's efforts in implementing the UNSCR 1325 on 'Women, Peace and Security' that has supported Pakistani women to play active roles across society and in the Pakistani Armed Forces.
“More than half of the world’s population are women; yet women and children are the ones who suffer most during armed conflicts ,” said Dr Babst. “It is of utmost importance that we do our best to increase the participation of women in the political decision-making on security issues, include them in our operations when restoring peace and stability, as well as into our reconstruction efforts after conflict.” Dr. Babst briefed the women officers about NATO's contribution to the implementation of UNSCR 1325, highlighting the importance of women in NATO's armed forces.
Lieutenant General Walter Gaskin, Deputy Chairman of the Military Committee also met with the officers. He praised the Pakistani people and security forces for their sacrifice in the fight against insurgency and terrorism and stressed the need for enhanced military cooperation in support of the common fight against terrorism.
NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division organised the visit in the framework of its programme aimed at improving dialogue with Pakistan and in the context of the UNSCR 1325. NATO’s relations with Pakistan have seen a dynamic increase in recent years and this growing cooperation has led to improved information-sharing of common security concerns and interests.
The women officers also visited SHAPE Headquarters in Mons on 15 February.