Mohammad Ali Babakhel
In KP, the Peace and Justice Network worked with UNDP to enhance female LG representatives’ capacity and decision-making involvement. LGs can enable women to contribute to peace and security, but participation is often symbolic. In Punjab, 14 per cent of LG seats are reserved for women; KP and Balochistan reserve 33pc and Sindh 22pc. Increasing women’s role in peace needs more accommodation by a male-dominated CJS.
LJCP figures show: out of a total 3,142 judges, 572 (18pc) are female; of 230,879 lawyers, 40,000 (17pc) are women; of 2,210 prosecutors, 341 (15pc) are female. With 521 women judges in the district judiciary, the highest female representation is in KP (28pc); Islamabad (20pc); Punjab (19pc); Sindh (14pc); Balochistan (12pc). As of 2023, women in police make up 3.2pc (15,509 female officers out of 489,645); Punjab, 4.4pc; Sindh 2.62pc; KP 1.46pc; Balochistan 1.74 pc, and Islamabad 5.04pc. Increasing their security representation will help realise UNSCR 1325’s ideals.
Lack of accurate WPS data limits planning and evaluation in UNSCR 1325 initiatives. Women representation in peace processes is limited, especially in peace committees and conflict resolution bodies. Lack of a dedicated budget reduces long-term WPS initiatives scope. While the SDGs don’t explicitly address WPS, SDG 5 and SDG 16 have related targets. Policymakers must go beyond acknowledging women’s contributions — from talk to commitment, commitment to action, and action to impact isn’t easy.
Synchronising national and local laws is a huge task. In developing societies, the focus is on enacting laws and expanding institutions. Real progress lies in promoting women’s inclusion in decision-making and policymaking.
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