Permanent Mission of India
New York
--

Security Council Open Debate on Women Peace and Security
 Peace is decided with women: Emerging from conflict by enhancing their participation  

Statement by Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, Permanent Representative

17 June 2026

Madam President,

            I thank Colombia for convening today’s open debate, bringing to focus the vital role of women in forging lasting and sustainable peace. I also thank the briefers for sharing their experience and views with us.

Madam President,

            It is well established that women face disproportionate and devastating consequences of armed conflict. Besides facing displacement, loss of family and livelihood, they often endure sexual violence wielded deliberately as a weapon of war -  inflicting wounds - physical, psychological, and social that persist long after the guns fall silent. Thus,  peace agreements that leave women’s concerns unaddressed are incomplete and fragile. As the UNSC Resolution 1325 attests, women’s meaningful participation in peace processes is a pre-requisite for durable peace.

Madam President,

            Women have consistently been at the forefront of grassroots peace initiatives. Their role in community life, their deep understanding of local grievances, and their trusted role as caregivers and community anchors make them uniquely effective mediators at a human level. From Liberia’s women-led pray-ins that forced warring parties to the table to Colombia’s grass roots women networks that helped build durable national action plan for security, women’s involvement has repeatedly transformed social attitudes and priorities enabling eventual, effective peace agreements.

Madam President,

            Within the United Nations, deployment of uniformed women in UN peacekeeping operations represents one of the most tangible and impactful dimensions of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. They build trust in communities.  They give hope to vulnerable populations, particularly women and children. They serve as visible symbols of women's agency in maintaining peace and security. Most critically, they help address gender-based violence and ensure that peace processes reflect the needs and perspectives of all segments of society. India was the first to deploy an all-female Unit to the United Nations Mission in Liberia, inspiring 1000s of Liberian women to join their national police.  Today, over 160 Indian women peacekeepers serve in the field in various UN Missions. In addition, The Center for United Nations Peacekeeping, established by the Indian Army in Delhi, has been training female military officers from across the globe since 2016. In February last year, India hosted the Conference for Women Peacekeepers from the Global South, bringing together women peacekeepers from 35 countries.  In August last year, India hosted the UN Women Military Officers Course, which saw participation from 15 countries. Our commitment has been recognized in the series of UN gender advocate awards won by Indian Women Peacekeepers in 2019, 2024 and most recently by Maj. Abhilasha Barak in 2026. These women peacekeepers were recognized for their role in connecting with local communities, empowering women and implementing women-centric initiatives.

Madam President,

            None of the above efforts can ultimately yield lasting results unless women are genuinely empowered: politically, financially and socially. Peace is a journey – for which women must be enabled to contribute. India’s experience in this regard demonstrates its sustained commitment to this cause. Constitutional reservation of seats in local self-governing bodies has brought over a million women[1] -  who have one-third of elected positions in local governance. The Women’s Reservation Act of 2023 extends this provision to the Parliament of India. India maintains a consistent record of having women leaders in high offices. I am proud to note that we have a distinguished woman as our Head of State. We have had a woman Head of Government, and Speaker of Parliament. The presence of women in Indian armed forces is also showing an upward trend. Women-led development is a model promoted by the Government of India to make women the driving force of India’s economic growth. Through digital and financial inclusion, through direct benefits transfer, through access to education, skill development and health services, India is investing in building independent and strong women that bring our society together.

Madam President,

            In closing, I would like to stress that women bind communities fractured by violence. Communities in which women are economically self-reliant, politically represented, and socially respected recover faster from conflict and are more resistant to its recurrence. The road to lasting peace cannot be walked without women.

            Thank you, Madam President.

***