Pakistan is also grateful to Madam Bachelet for an insightful presentation. W...

Pakistan is also grateful to Madam Bachelet for an insightful presentation. We commend the valuable role UN Women plays in promoting the wider goal of gender equality in general and Women Peace and Security in particular. Pakistan will continue to play its part in strengthening UN Women. Human Rights instruments, particularly the Geneva Conventions, proscribe torture, violence, rape and other forms of sexual violence and ill treatment of women during conflicts. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court characterizes these acts in the context of armed conflict as crimes against humanity. Despite such progress in the normative framework, women's suffering in conflict situations continues. There is growing awareness of their plight and there is increased focus on their protection. Still women and girls continue to be the primary victims in conflict situations and suffer disproportionately. To start with, they are vulnerable to violence and exploitation. What's worse, they are purposefully targeted and are largely excluded from the peace and reconstruction processes.