India Champions Women’s Role in Peacebuilding and Security at United Nations Security Council Debate

Addressing the Security Council, Parvathaneni said women frequently bear the greatest burden during armed conflicts, enduring displacement, loss of livelihoods and family members, and gender-based violence that leaves lasting physical, psychological and social consequences. He stated that peace agreements that fail to address women’s concerns remain incomplete and fragile, adding that meaningful participation of women in peace processes is a prerequisite for lasting peace, in line with the principles of the landmark United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

The Indian envoy pointed to several examples from across the world where women have played decisive roles in conflict resolution and reconciliation. He cited the women-led peace movement in Liberia, whose sustained advocacy brought warring groups to the negotiating table, and grassroots women’s networks in Colombia that made significant contributions to developing the country’s national action plan on security. According to Parvathaneni, women’s understanding of local communities and their role as caregivers and community anchors often make them highly effective mediators during conflicts.

A major part of India’s intervention focused on the role of women in United Nations peacekeeping operations. Parvathaneni described women peacekeepers as one of the most visible and effective pillars of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. He said they build trust within communities, inspire vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, and serve as powerful symbols of women’s leadership in maintaining peace and security.

Highlighting India’s pioneering contribution, the ambassador recalled that India became the first country to deploy an all-female Formed Police Unit to the United Nations Mission in Liberia. The deployment is credited with encouraging thousands of Liberian women to join the national police force and strengthening confidence in women’s leadership within security institutions.

India continues to remain among the leading contributors of women peacekeepers to United Nations missions. Parvathaneni said more than 160 Indian women peacekeepers are currently serving in different peacekeeping operations worldwide. He noted that India has also made substantial investments in training and capacity-building initiatives. The Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping, established by the Indian Army in New Delhi, has been training female military officers from various countries since 2016.

Strengthening international cooperation further, India hosted the Conference for Women Peacekeepers from the Global South in February 2025, bringing together women peacekeepers from 35 countries to exchange experiences and best practices. In August 2025, India also hosted the United Nations Women Military Officers Course, which saw participation from 15 countries.

Parvathaneni noted that India’s contributions to peacekeeping have earned international recognition. Indian women peacekeepers received prestigious United Nations Gender Advocate Awards in 2019, 2024 and again in 2026. He highlighted the achievement of Major Abhilasha Barak, who received the award in 2026 for engaging with local communities, empowering women and implementing women-focused initiatives in peacekeeping environments.

Turning to domestic initiatives, the ambassador underlined that sustainable peace and development require genuine empowerment of women politically, financially and socially. He said constitutional reservations in local self-governing institutions have enabled more than one million women to enter public office, with women currently occupying one-third of elected positions in local governance bodies across the country.

He stated that the Women’s Reservation Act, enacted in 2023, further strengthened political representation by extending reservation provisions to the Parliament of India. Parvathaneni also highlighted India’s history of women occupying key constitutional offices, noting that the country has had a woman Prime Minister and a woman Speaker of Parliament, while a woman President currently serves as the Head of State.

The envoy also pointed to the increasing presence of women in the Indian Armed Forces and outlined the government’s vision of women-led development, which aims to make women active drivers of economic growth and social transformation. Through initiatives promoting digital inclusion, financial inclusion, direct benefit transfers, education, skill development and healthcare access, India is working to create opportunities that support economic independence and social empowerment for women.

Parvathaneni said women-led development is a model promoted by the Government of India to make women the driving force behind economic growth. He emphasized that investments in digital and financial inclusion, education, skill development and health services are helping build independent and resilient women who strengthen society.

Concluding his address, the ambassador stressed that societies where women are economically self-reliant, politically represented and socially respected recover more rapidly from conflict and are better equipped to prevent its recurrence. He said women help rebuild communities fractured by violence and asserted that the path to lasting peace cannot be achieved without women, underscoring the significance of women’s leadership in securing a more stable and resilient world.