Singapore, June 28, 2025

To mark a significant occasion celebrating women in diplomacy, Her Excellency Rabia Shafiq, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Singapore, joined fellow women Heads of Mission from Chile, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa in a compelling panel discussion. The event focused on the unique perspectives that women diplomats bring to addressing global challenges, as well as the personal experiences, systemic obstacles, and geopolitical complexities that shape their work.

During the panel, High Commissioner Shafiq highlighted Pakistan's longstanding commitment to women's leadership in foreign policy and diplomacy. "Pakistan takes pride in the fact that it has had both a female Prime Minister and a female Foreign Minister," she noted. "The first woman entered our Foreign Ministry in 1973, and today, for the second time in our history, a woman is serving as the Foreign Secretary."

She also shared that women now represent approximately 30% of Pakistan's diplomatic corps, with nearly 10 female Heads of Mission serving across various continents.

The event served as a platform for reflection, solidarity, and commitment to advancing gender equality within the field of diplomacy. High Commissioner Shafiq reiterated Pakistan’s dedication to creating inclusive and equitable spaces for women at all levels of international engagement.