The British High Commission in Pakistan reaffirmed its leadership in advancing inclusive and effective security by convening the national conference Women as Architects of Resilience: Empowering Women in Security and Counterterrorism, in collaboration with the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), Global Affairs Canada, and with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Pakistan. The conference underscored the growing role of women across Pakistan in shaping counterterrorism policy, strengthening institutions, and delivering tangible community-level results. Opening the event, British High Commissioner Ms. Jane Marriott emphasized the UK’s commitment to supporting women-led efforts that enhance community safety, prevent violent extremism, improve access to justice, and empower survivor-centered and grassroots initiatives.

Senior national and international leaders highlighted the importance of government leadership and international cooperation in embedding gender-responsive security frameworks. NACTA National Coordinator Mr. Jawad Ahmad Dogar reaffirmed that integrating women’s perspectives into counterterrorism policy is essential to prevention, deterrence, and community resilience. UNODC Representative Mr. Troels Vester noted measurable progress, with women increasingly serving in leadership roles across law enforcement, financial oversight, and justice institutions—contributing directly to investigations, compliance, and the disruption of terrorism financing. Setting the national policy context, Ms. Humaira Mufti, Secretary of the National Commission on the Status of Women, stressed that women’s participation strengthens resilience while safeguarding rights and long-term stability.

Panels throughout the conference showcased operational impact, from senior women officers sharing how leadership improves investigations and public trust, to experts detailing women’s contributions to AML/CFT compliance, financial vigilance, and early-warning systems. International perspectives from the British High Commission and UNODC Vienna reinforced global best practices linking inclusion to measurable security outcomes, while civil society leaders highlighted how women-led community initiatives address drivers of extremism and complement state responses. The conference concluded with a shared commitment to deepen gender integration within provincial Centres of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism and to advance a Women in Security and Counterterrorism Network to sustain collaboration, mentorship, and skills development nationwide.

To read the full story, see here