Introduction: A Landmark Step for WPS in Pakistan
Pakistan took a significant stride toward gender-responsive peace and security by hosting its first National Dialogue on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) in Islamabad. The event, organized by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) in collaboration with the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) and UN Women, brought together government representatives, civil society actors, security professionals, and women’s rights advocates. The dialogue highlighted the importance of integrating women’s leadership, perspectives, and experiences into every phase of peacebuilding and security policy.
Background: Why a National Dialogue?
Globally, the WPS agenda emphasizes that peace is more durable when women participate in conflict prevention, decision-making, and post-conflict reconstruction. Pakistan’s embrace of this framework signals a commitment to align national security strategies with gender equity and human rights. The dialogue serves as a platform to translate international norms into actionable reforms, address gaps in policy and practice, and elevate women’s voices in security matters that affect families, communities, and the nation as a whole.
Key Goals and Focus Areas
The National Dialogue outlined several core objectives aimed at operationalizing WPS at national and provincial levels. These included:
– Strengthening women’s participation in security governance, including police leadership, judiciary, and peacebuilding initiatives.
– Enhancing protection mechanisms for women in conflict and post-conflict settings, such as survivors of violence and displacement.
– Ensuring gender-responsive budgeting and policy development across security, counter-terrorism, and community safety programs.
– Building capacity among government agencies and civil society to monitor WPS indicators, report progress, and ensure accountability.
– Promoting peaceful, inclusive violence prevention strategies that address drivers such as poverty, discrimination, and lack of education.
Deliverables: From Dialogue to Policy Action
Participants underscored that the value of the dialogue lies not only in words but in tangible policy shifts. The event produced a clear roadmap for integrating women’s experiences into security apparatuses, including training curricula for law enforcement, gender-sensitive risk assessments, and mechanisms for women to participate in early warning and crisis response. Furthermore, the collaboration among NACTA, NCSW, and UN Women aims to harmonize national policies with international commitments like the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which recognizes the pivotal role of women in maintaining peace and security.
Voice and Participation: Who Attended?
Representatives from federal ministries, provincial authorities, civil society groups, and women’s organizations engaged in constructive dialogue. The gathering highlighted the diversity of women affected by security challenges—from urban communities to rural areas, from activists to community health workers. Attendees stressed that inclusive engagement is essential to ensuring that security strategies are responsive to the realities on the ground, including risks faced by marginalized groups and survivors of violence.
Impact on National Security Policy
Experts interviewed during the dialogue emphasized that gender-responsive security is not a niche concern but a cornerstone of effective governance. When women participate as decision-makers and stakeholders, security policies become more comprehensive, preventative, and sustainable. The dialogue advances Pakistan’s strategic framework by linking counter-terrorism efforts with social development, education, and economic empowerment—recognizing that durable peace stems from addressing root causes and ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens.
Next Steps: Sustaining Momentum
As the dialogue closes, organizers commit to follow-through actions: establishing monitoring committees, increasing funding for women-led security initiatives, and creating cross-ministerial teams to integrate WPS into budgeting processes. The partnership with UN Women is expected to facilitate technical support, data collection, and knowledge sharing to measure progress and scale successful programs nationwide. This ongoing collaboration aims to cultivate a security ecosystem where women’s leadership is normalized and protected, and where communities can thrive in safety and dignity.
Closing Thoughts
The National Dialogue on Women, Peace and Security marks a transformational moment for Pakistan. By foregrounding gender-responsive approaches to peace and security, the country signals its readiness to build safer communities while advancing women’s rights and empowerment. The dialogue’s outcomes promise to strengthen not only national security but also social cohesion, economic resilience, and the well-being of families across Pakistan.
