ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome on Monday highlighted the crucial role of women in promoting peace and stability, saying their inclusion is vital not only for economic benefits but also for social progress.
Speaking at the Breaking Barriers Through Diversity and Inclusivity Conference, Ambassador Blome said that empowering women is not just a gender issue, but also a human rights issue and an economic necessity.
He pointed out that companies investing in women’s empowerment have better education, health and economic outcomes. “When women are given equal opportunities, communities flourish, economies thrive and nations advance,” he added.
Studies have shown that when women are involved in peace processes, the resulting agreements are more durable and sustainable. Their unique perspectives and experiences bring a different dimension to conflict resolution, promoting inclusiveness and long-lasting solutions, he added.
He expressed his delight to see representatives of fourteen minority-serving institutions in the US and the All-Pakistan Women Universities Consortium at the event.
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He said that diversity is the cornerstone of progress and innovation, and President Biden emphasized that in America, “diversity is our strength; the promise of America is that it is big enough for everyone to succeed.” “Diversity gives us access to many perspectives, ideas and talents, which propels us forward into a brighter and more inclusive future,” he added.
The ambassador said: “Today we celebrate diversity in all its forms, including regional, cultural, linguistic, ethnic, age, religious belief, gender and more.” He said: “In particular, we are focusing on the vital role of women in society and the importance of advancing the inclusion of women.”
He said the United States is committed to supporting Pakistan in its efforts to promote diversity in all its forms. “We will continue to work together on initiatives that support diversity, including programs focused on education, health and economic development.
Through partnerships between our governments, civil society and the private sector, we can create lasting change that benefits us all,” he added.
This conference represents an important step in keeping with the United States’ commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion and our shared development goals.
It serves as a platform to elevate local research, specifically focusing on inclusive approaches to climate resilience and promoting women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship.
In addition, it reinforces our commitment to work with Pakistan on climate-smart agriculture, clean energy and water—all of which are central to the US-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework.
He said that today every country is grappling with climate change and disaster management, and the US recognized the indispensable role of all present, especially women and academia, in creating solutions to the many challenges we face. “Given the uneven impacts of climate change, the unique contributions of Pakistan’s women’s universities offer promising insights into the challenges and opportunities,” he added.
He thanked the guests from the American universities for participating and sharing their experiences with the partners from the Pakistani universities.
