Statement by India under Agenda Item 3,Panel Discussion – “Commemoration of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy focusing on overcoming barriers to women’s leadership in peace process, at the 59thSession of the Human Rights Council (16 June – 9 July 2025), delivered by Ms. Anupama Singh, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India
Geneva, 24 June 2025
Madam Vice- President,
- India believes that women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in diplomacy and peace processes is essential to achieving sustainable peace and inclusive development.
- We honour the trailblazers who paved the way—like Hansa Mehta, India’s delegate to the UN Commission on Human Rights, who was instrumental in ensuring that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirmed the equality of “all human beings”, not just “all men”. Our tradition of women’s leadership—from Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, the first woman President of the UN General Assembly, to our diplomats, peacekeepers, and elected leaders—reflects this commitment.
- India is supportive of the Women Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, especially with regards to the role of women in peace building. In fact, India was the first country to deploy an all-female Formed Police Unit in UN peacekeeping in Liberia in 2007, and continues to promote women in security roles nationally.
- Domestically, legislative reforms such as the Women’s Reservation Bill and constitutional guarantees for women’s representation in local governance have empowered millions of women to lead.
- We remain committed to advancing gender equality, dismantling structural barriers, and supporting women’s leadership in diplomacy, peace, and security—both at home and globally.
I thank you.
