URDU-WOMEN’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF CONFLICTS IN PAKISTANI SOCIETY: A RESEARCH STUDY IN THE LIGHT OF ISLAMIC TEACHINGS AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDG-5 AND SDG-16)

پاکستانی معاشرے میں تنازعات کے پُرامن حل میں خواتین کی شراکت اسلامی تعلیمات اور پائیدار ترقی کے اہداف (SDG-5)اور (SDG-16) کے تناظر میں ایک تحقیقاتی مطالعہ

Abstract

The paper discusses the role of women in resolving conflicts within the Pakistani society in the context of the combined framework of Islamic teachings and UN SDGs 5 (Gender Equality) and 16 (Peace, Justice, Strong Institutions). The integration of Quranic texts, Sunnah, Islamic jurisprudence, policy documents, and empirical examples (case studies) of the secondary sources and ADR study indicates that women are not sufficiently represented in the formal structures of peace despite their successful roles in the grassroots in mediation and counter-radicalization of communities, as well as their participation in resolving family disputes. The social trust, moral authority, and networks of the women make it possible to have better mediation that supports the Islamic principles such as Islah-Bayn-Al-Nas (reconciliation), shared responsibility (wilayah), and justice (Adl-wa-Ihsan). However, there are still institutional loopholes that reduce the effectiveness of their impact in the official decision-making process and prevent SDG objectives based on inclusive governance. The paper based on the strategic position of Umm Salamah (RA) throughout the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, justifying the legitimacy of women as an Islamic basis in peace building. It finds that sustainable peace does necessitate institutionalizing the role of women in ADR, peace committees, and policy through gender-sensitive reforms, jirga system reforms, implementation of UNSCR 1325 and a funded National Action Plan. Blending Islamic principles with international paradigms makes women the strategists of justice and unity in Pakistan.